TV host Eamonn Holmes has blasted the decision surrounding Gary Lineker's departure from Match Of The Day. With Lineker set to leave the BBC show at the end of the season, he is still confirmed to lead the World Cup coverage in 2026.
Speculation is rife online about who will take over, with names like Alex Scott, Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman, and Dan Walker being suggested, though no official choice has been announced. During a GB News segment, after a colleague remarked, "I still think Eamonn should have got the gig myself," co-host Isabel weighed in, saying: "Oh you would have been brilliant, yeah, nobody knows more about football."
Holmes didn't hold back his views, criticising the BBC's approach: "See they also do this ridiculous thing in the BBC, it's always been the case, try and get a younger audience. So what does that mean? Get a younger host? And younger people do not watch television. So why are they wasting their time? " Isabel tried to counter with, "They do with Match Of The Day, don't they? They watch it in bed on a Sunday with a hangover," only for Eamonn to sharply respond: "They watch it on their phones and on their devices. The best thing about Match Of The Day is the music."
In an update earlier this week, it was confirmed that while Gary Lineker will be stepping away from Match Of The Day, his engagement with the BBC is far from over. Express has reported Lineker will remain a fixture in BBC's sports broadcasting until the 2026 World Cup.
Lineker has shared his satisfaction, saying: "I'm delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.", reports the Manchester Evening News.
The broadcaster also revealed that Lineker's podcast, 'The Rest is Football', which he presents alongside football legends Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, will be made available on BBC Sounds starting next month, with weekly episodes slated for release. Goalhanger Productions, which Lineker helped establish, produces the podcast that delves into the trio's illustrious footballing history and current sports events.
With Match of the Day's uninterrupted allure that attracted 33 million viewers in the last season alone, it continues to form an integral part of football enthusiasts' weekend ritual. In their statement, BBC Sports acknowledged: "With 33 million viewers last season across the Premier League and FA Cup, Match of the Day remains part of the staple diet of football fans who still get a huge buzz from hearing that iconic theme tune on a Saturday night."
They further noted the commitment to adapting the programme in keeping with the changing patterns of media consumption, whilst maintaining its premier standard of sports analysis and commentary for all audiences. Additional details on what lies ahead for Match of the Day will be announced in due course.
Click this link or scan the QR code to receive breaking news and top stories from Belfast Live. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
English (United States) ·