'I played with Gary Lineker – he left BBC Match of the Day for three reasons'

Gary Lineker had three reasons for leaving BBC Match of the Day at the end of the season, according to former team-mate and fellow broadcaster Alan Smith. Earlier this week, the Beeb dropped the bombshell news that Lineker would be walking away from their popular football programme next year.

Lineker, who has presented MOTD for 25 years, has said it’s the “right time” to change the guard at the start of a new four-year Premier League highlights deal.

“I think [with] the next [highlights] contract, they’re looking to do Match of the Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm,” the 63-year-old added.

Lineker will continue with the BBC for next season’s FA Cup coverage and the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico before focusing on his other projects.

Smith formed a lethal partnership with the English football icon at Leicester City, helping him score 13 goals in his debut season as a professional.

The pair played together for three years before Lineker joined Everton in 1985. Smith stayed another two years before moving to Arsenal and scored 84 goals in 217 appearances for the Foxes.

The Gunners great has had his say on Lineker’s Match of the Day exit, claiming the duration of his stint, his other commitments and a potential desire to give someone else an opportunity all likely contributed.

“He had a long time doing it, and maybe he thought it was time to bring it to a close,” Smith told Express Sport on behalf of Ace Odds.

“He’s got a lot of other things going on with his podcasts and what have you, and he’s going to do the World Cup and the FA Cup and that, isn’t he, still for the BBC.

“But to last that long has been amazing. Yeah, absolutely amazing. He maybe thought ‘I’ll give somebody else a chance’.”

Discussion about Lineker’s replacement has naturally swirled since his plans to depart were confirmed. Mark Chapman, Alex Scott and Kelly Cates are among the current favourites.

Smith would love to see Match of the Day 2 host Chapman inherit the position, hailing the experienced broadcaster’s resume.

He added: “I do think Mark Chapman is a brilliant presenter. He works for us at Sky now on the Carabao Cup, and [he does] Match of the Day 2, obviously.

“And his five live stuff on a Saturday is brilliant. I think he should get it. Whether he will, I mean… There’s talk in the papers today about him and maybe Kelly Somers doing it as well.

“It’s a bit cool, isn’t it, who takes over from Gary? Because it’s such an iconic show. I’ve just got to congratulate him really on doing it for that long.”