Dan Walker makes feelings clear on Gary Lineker's MOTD exit after BBC row
After Gary Lineker finally bid farewell to Match of the Day, ex-BBC Football Focus presenter Dan Walker offered his honest thoughts on his former colleague's departure
Former BBC Football Focus presenter Dan Walker truly believes Match of the Day"won't be the same" without Gary Lineker. The former Tottenham Hotspur and England forward has finally left the flagship Premier League highlights programme after 26 years of presenting.
Lineker made his goodbyes while holding back the tears in what was an emotional final episode for the 64-year-old. The former striker announced he was leaving the BBC altogether soon after he shared a social media video criticising Israel which featured an emoji of a rat.
Not long after deleting the post, Lineker apologised and stated that he would be stepping down from the BBC permanently following the end of the 2024/25 season.
The presenter paid an emotional farewell to his colleagues at the BBC during his final episode on Sunday night. And after watching the end-of-season show, Walker, who presented Football Focus for 12 years before moving across to Channel 5 in 2022, sent a post in support of his ex-BBC colleague.
The broadcaster, who was once touted as a possible long-term replacement for Lineker on MOTD, took to X and said: "Match of the Day won't be the same without Gary Lineker.
"It was always a pleasure to present the show, but it was always Gary's chair. Brilliant career on the pitch matched by a brilliant stint on the biggest football show on the TV.'
At the end of the episode, Lineker said: "Let me take this opportunity to thank all the pundits I've worked with over the years, you've made my job a lot easier. Rather like my football career everyone else did all the hard work and I got all the plaudits.'
Initially, Lineker was only going to step down from presenting weekly highlights of the Premier League on the show, but continue presenting live FA Cup coverage and the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, before stepping away after the latter.
However, his social media post hastened his exit from the Beeb. Confirming his imminent departure last Monday, he said: "Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio.
"I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years. As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for.
"However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.'
BBC Director-General, Tim Davie, said: "Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season."
Lineker presented the flagship BBC show for 26 years, initially taking over from Des Lynam in 1999. He was drafted into the Match of the Day hot seat after Lynam left the BBC to join ITV.
Next season, the trio of Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan will share the hosting duties of Match of the Day.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Dele Alli cuts a sporty figure as he steps out for some luxury shopping in Milan with mystery Cindy Kimberly lookalike - just weeks after they split
Dele Alli was spotted enjoying a day out in Milan with a mystery woman on Thursday just weeks after splitting from his ex of three years Cindy Kimberly. The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, 29 - who now plies his trade at Italian outfit Como - and his model ex, 26, confirmed they had called time on their relationship earlier this month. After fans spotted she had deleted a host of pictures of them from her Instagram, Cindy confirmed her and Dele had broken up, telling GSM: 'We've been separate for a little while already.' Just weeks after their split was made public, Dele was spotted strolling around downtown Milan with a mystery companion on Thursday. Clad in an eye-catching light blue Nike tracksuit, Dele enjoyed an afternoon of luxury shopping with the mystery brunette - who looked strikingly similar to his ex Cindy. Joined by a few friends at high-fashion outlets Goyard and Loro Piana, she sported a pair of beige shorts and a white blouse for the outing and covering her eyes with dark shades. While Dele was in Milan, Cindy had jetted off to St. Tropez for a getaway with her pal Chantel Jeffries after her break-up with the footballer. Dele and Cindy first confirmed their romance in 2022 while he was still playing in England for Everton. After signing for Serie A club Como in January in a bid to get his career back on track, Cindy moved out to northern Italy with Dele. They had appeared smitten since relocating, with the Sports Illustrated cover star posting pictures of her and Dele together on multiple occasions. Cindy had been a rock for the footballer, who in 2023 opened up on his traumatic childhood, which included being sexually abused as young as the age of six. She also stood by him as he revealed his addiction to sleeping pills and his mental health issues in an incredibly raw interview with Gary Neville. Rumours of a split however began circulating earlier this month after Cindy deleted a host of pictures of the couple together, including one taken in April of them soaking in the Como sun. A short time later she confirmed the pair's split, telling GSM that they had been apart for some time. Despite moving to Como in an attempt to revitalise his career ahead of next summer's World Cup, things haven't gone as Dele had likely planned since his Italian move. During the ex-Spurs midfielder's only appearance for his new side this season away at AC Milan, he was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Englishman Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Dele lasted just 10 mins - his only appearance in more than two years - on his debut for Como, with manager Cesc Fabregas lambasting the footballer for his 'grave mistake' post-match. 'Dele Alli is a player who can score goals,' Fabregas told DAZN. 'He perhaps didn't deserve this opportunity because he has only been working with us for two weeks and has a lot to improve. 'It is a grave mistake, one that we should not see from a player of his experience. 'It was a clear red card, there's nothing to be said about that, he left the team down to 10 men during a crucial moment when we were pushing for 2-2. 'That is the most negative thing about this evening, but we keep going.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Nuno Espirito Santo signs new contract but Nottingham Forest appear to make gaffe in statement announcing it
The 51-year-old has inked a new three-year deal at the City Ground CONTRACT CALAMITY Nuno Espirito Santo signs new contract but Nottingham Forest appear to make gaffe in statement announcing it Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NOTTINGHAM FOREST appeared to make a major gaffe in their announcing of Nuno Espirito Santo's new contract. Forest, surprisingly, announced a new deal for their Portuguese gaffer early on Saturday morning. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Nuno Espirito Santo has been handed a new deal by Nottingham Forest Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK 4 The 51-year-old has inked a new three-year deal at the City Ground Credit: PA 4 Forest made a gaffe in their official statement announcing Nuno's new deal Credit: NOTTINGHAM FOREST The former Porto and Spurs boss has inked a new three-year deal at the City Ground, although you wouldn't have known it if you looked at the Midlands club's website. Eagle-eyed fans spotted that Forest had mistakenly stated that Nuno inked an "x-year deal" in their statement announcing the new contract. A snippet of the club's official statement read: "Nottingham Forest is delighted to announce that Nuno Espírito Santo has signed a new contract with the Club. "The Forest Head Coach has been handed a new x-year deal by owner Evangelos Marinakis ahead of the 2025/26 campaign." Nuno, 51, is over the moon to have extended his stay at the City Ground, which is set to host UEFA Conference League football this coming season. He said: "I am delighted to be able to continue our journey at this fantastic football Club. 'Since we arrived at Forest, we have worked extremely hard to create a special bond between the players, the fans and everyone at the Club, which helped us achieve great things last season. "I would like to thank our owner, Mr. Marinakis, for his constant support and backing. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 "It is important to me to share a strong relationship with our ownership and we have thoroughly enjoyed working together ever since I arrived at Forest. 'Now is the time to work harder than ever as we strive for more special memories together.' Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis sends fans bold Champions League prediction Marinakis said of the new deal: "Nuno has made a great impact and performed very well during his time with us so far. 'He has demonstrated that he maximises player performance and is an expert at developing players, whilst also embedding our young talent into the first team set-up. 'We enjoy a strong and solid relationship together and, above all, we share the same dream and ambition of writing a new history for Nottingham Forest, competing in the Premier League and in Europe and winning trophies for our great club!' Forest will kick off their Premier League season on Saturday, August 17, away to Brighton. The Tricky Trees will play the first leg of their Conference League play-off on August 21.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Filipe Luis makes huge Nicolas Jackson prediction after Chelsea red card
Filipe Luis insists Nicolas Jackson can become one of the best strikers in the world after his red card in Chelsea's 3-1 defeat to Flamengo at the Club World Cup on Friday. Enzo Maresca's side took an early lead through Pedro Neto but collapsed in the second half as Jackson was sent off, while Flamengo scored three without reply. Jackson came on as a substitute for Liam Delap in the second half but just four minutes later he was dismissed for a dangerous challenge on Ayrton Lucas. The Senegal international has faced criticised for his lack of consistency in front of goal during his time at Chelsea but Flamengo head coach Filipe Luis, who spent one season at Stamford Bridge as a player, is adamant that the striker will improve. When asked about Jackson's red card, Filipe Luis said: 'First of all, I love Chelsea. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. 'I spent one really happy season there, we won the Premier League and the League Cup and I made special friends and played with the best players in the world for a season, and I was really happy there. 'So I know how the club is special and how the club needs to win titles because of the pressure inside the club, it happens. 'But he [Jackson] is so good, he's young, he has all the potential and quality the club needs. 'I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my teammates, and all the fans watching, I let you down. 'Another red card and honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. 'I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a football moment that went the wrong way. 'No excuses. I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.' 'For sure, he will surpass this little mistake. I think it was clear, I just saw it in front of me, I haven't seen it on the TV yet, but for me it was a red. 'But it is just a small detail for a player who is a big player, he can be one of the biggest strikers in the world.' Filipe Luis also claimed that Chelsea have been the best tactical team in Europe since Maresca took over from Mauricio Pochettino last year. More Trending 'I told Maresca, [I had] four days without sleeping, or sleeping really bad, because when I watch his team playing it's, for me, the most perfect tactical playing in Europe,' the former Chelsea defender said. 'He has all his solutions covered for the players and the players understood really well his model of play. 'It's so difficult to play against him, so that makes our win huge, so I'm really happy.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: John Obi Mikel worried for Chelsea star who keeps 'disappearing' in games MORE: How many games will Nicolas Jackson miss after red card at Club World Cup? MORE: John Obi Mikel blasts 'stupid' Nicolas Jackson and sends transfer warning after red card
