English Premier League

Gary Lineker emotional as he bows out of BBC’s Match of the Day after controversial final day of the Premier League – as it happened

May 26, 2025

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Gary Lineker emotional as he bows out of BBC’s Match of the Day after controversial final day of the Premier League – as it happened

Key events

Well Lineker has taken his bow from Match of the Day and with his goodbye comes my own from this blog. Thank you for joining us throughout the day for all the Premier League action and for the presenter’s final MOTD. Of course this is not where the football action ends this season with the Conference and Champions League left to be decided. Do join us for live coverage of those. For now, see you soon and catch up on Lineker’s final appearance below:

This is a nice feature to reflect on Lineker’s time at MOTD:

Shearer says “well done mate” and they embrace. It fades to black and then Bocelli sings over highlights from this Premier League season.

“Time to say goodbye,” Lineker bows out of MOTD

He adds: “Alan, Micah, thank you. I suspect our paths will cross again [a hint to their podcast by any chance?]. Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the other pundits that I have had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years. You have made my job so much easier. Also a huge thank you to those you don’t see at home. The work that goes into making this iconic show is a huge team effort. From the editors, to the analysis team, from the commentators, to the floor managers, to the producers, to the camera operators, the PAs, the subs, thank you all, you are the very best.

“Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits. It has been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It has been utterly joyous. I’d like to wish Gabby [Logan], Kelly [Cates] and Mark [Chapman] the very best when they sit in this chair. The programme is in the best of hands.

“And my final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching, thank you for all of your love and support over the years and I am sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye. Goodbye.”

Lineker says: “For the final time here is the Premier League table. But I can’t find a copy so you will have to read it for yourselves. Liverpool won the league, you can see the teams who qualified for the Champions League. One of the teams going down is Leicester which is not how I wanted to finish it.” The big speech coming now.

Bocelli has sent Lineker a message, the singer who sang when Leicester won the Premier League. He wishes him all the best.

Hansen added: “We had so many good laughs and we worked with so many great people. We weren’t bad on that programme at all.” Wraps up the VT. Shearer says Lineker has been in charge of MOTD for 3,428 days. Richards hands him a MOTD cap and he has a Golden Boot. Lineker is visibly emotional.

Ian Wright added: “What Gary Lineker means to me. Someone I admire so much, someone who has helped me so much in the punditry game. I was fortunate enough to do it alongside him and now I am lucky enough to call him my friend.”

Now tributes pour in from around the football world. Pep Guardiola, Claudio Ranieri and Virgil van Dijk among those to say well done.

Richards said: “I was in awe, I was a little bit star stick as well. His greatest strength is he is the calmest person in the room.”

Hansen added: “Nothing seemed to phase him.”

Shearer said: “On air he is professional but off air he is kind and generous.”

Lineker’s family are also included in the VT, surely he will be emotional watching this.

Peter Shilton said: “You are the one person I could rely on on and off the pitch.”

And Paul Gascoigne added: “You were always there for me.”

Alan Hansen, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards are among those speaking to camera about Lineker.

Shearer says: “He loves it, it means the world to him.”

Now Shearer says: “Gary for the first time in 26 years it is time for you to take a back seat. We couldn’t let you go without saying a proper goodbye.” They then run a VT of Lineker’s highlights alongside tributes from his fellow pundits.

Lineker chooses Mitouma’s strike as the goal of the season, he says “his finish is exquisite”. The presenter had to choose after the public narrowed it to a top three and Shearer and Richards couldn’t choose.

Confirmation for the worst season for the newly promoted teams ever, as reported on MOTD. The gap is getting a bit bigger there. Now for goal of the season.

Catch up on that report:

“Well it had to be Leicester last didn’t it?” says Lineker. The star came through the academy at Leicester before having a seven-year senior stint at the side, making over 190 appearances.

Now we are travelling to Ipswich, a recap of that game:

Ed Aarons was at St Mary’s for this encounter:

“Don’t you think he would look good in a black and white shirt?” questions Shearer as he hints he wants Bryan Mbeumo to join Newcastle. We now move to Southampton, who took on Arsenal.

Will Unwin was in Wolverhampton for that game, catch up here:

“I think he will,” Richards says on if Ange Postecoglou will still be Tottenham manager next season. Now we move to Wolves.

Now we are heading to Tottenham, David Hytner was there for the Guardian earlier today if you need a recap:

Slot also paid tribute to Lineker’s time at MOTD: “Thank you for being such a great presenter of a show that I have watched many times in Holland and as I have [living here]. I liked that I got to give you a Liverpool shirt instead of the other club you played for.” Lineker looked really touched by the sentiment from the Liverpool boss.

Lineker spoke to Arne Slot post-match and the Liverpool manager said: “Today was special… There is still a date to look forward to which is tomorrow where we can celebrate with our fans in the city.”

Is it just me who gets emotional watching football celebrations? No matter the team, I find myself welling up.

Andy Hunter was at Anfield earlier for the trophy lift:

MOTD taking us through which goals could be crowned the score of the season now. Among them the stunners from Jhon Duran and Omar Marmoush. But no winner revealed yet, that’ll come a little later. Now we go to Anfield.

Richards jokes that Shearer said he wasn’t happy Sunderland were promoted back to the Premier League in the green room but Shearer says on the show he is happy they are back. Queue the studio laughs.

Liam Searle has emailed and said: “It’s a bad answer for a ‘best moment’, but I think one of the things that makes it hard is that he’s done an impressively consistent job for so long at a genuinely impressive level. Presenting in boxers in 2016 to just covering a set of matches on a random November, he still made games interesting and enjoyable to watch.

“I’m 28 and so was too young to ever see Des Lynam host the show, but I know how much people look back fondly at his time in the role. I really think I’ll feel the same way about Gary’s 26-year stint.

“As an aside while watching the show, whatever people make of the refereeing with the non-goal for Villa, the goalkeeping was much worse. I do not understand how he couldn’t get control of the ball.”

We are back in the studio and of course we focus on United v Villa with that controversial decision on Villa’s potential goal. Shearer says: “They are absolutely raging and rightly so. Once the ref has blown, VAR can’t intervene. The ramifications [are clear to be seen]. Morgan Rogers has every right. I understand the anger, I really do.”

And Richards adds: “If you look the goalkeeper is not in control. He has made a mistake, Rogers has pounced on it and it should have been a goal.”

And again we move on to another game, this time Manchester United v Aston Villa:

Well, this is quite the Lineker story from Ed Tristram: “France 98 I was living in Paris and I went down to the AA building at place de la Concorde for the chance to get a signature. I arrived. Des Lynam came out, signature obtained, followed by Ally McCoist signature obtained then came Gary Lineker.

“He stopped to sign my book, my cigarette in one hand. As I passed him by autograph book to sign, my hand with said cigarette in it drifted down to his waist and woosh I’d burnt a hole in his silk shirt (all the rage late 90s). He signed Gary and the letter L and the looked at me in disgust and walked off. To date I only have his partial signature.”

Ben Fisher

Before any punditry on that game, we are over to Nottingham Forest v Chelsea. The report is here: Before kick-off, a giant banner dangled from the upper tier of the Trent End, an oversized mock brown tourist sign. “Destination: Europe,” it read. Below that, a flag of a camper van with Nottingham Forest scarves flickering out of the windows.

Louise Taylor

A report recap for you: For quite a while the defiant brilliance of Everton’s Jordan Pickford and the attacking excellence of Carlos Alcaraz threatened to derail Newcastle’s Champions League ambitions.

Ultimately, Aston Villa’s defeat at Manchester United enabled Eddie Howe’s team to stumble into Europe’s showpiece competition on goal difference but this reminder of their fallibility served as a warning that the St James’ Park squad could do with some significant reinforcement.

Lineker starts on the penalty and Shearer says: “I would be fascinated to see why he gave away the penalty last week… Normality resumed but he has missed three this season so maybe that was on his mind last week.”

And on City’s form and players, Richards added: “I think the players they have now have a part to play bu they aren’t reaching the numbers former players [were hitting].” Now we are off to Newcastle.

Barney Ronay

A recap of that match is here, read the full report below: With 20 minutes gone at Craven Cottage, and with Fulham yet to muster anything even the most creative observer could describe as an attack, Ilkay Gündogan scored a thrillingly explosive goal to draw any real sense of sting from this final-day stroll in the south-west London sun.

Lineker: “It wasn’t meant to end this way”

“It wasn’t meant to end this way,” Lineker says reflecting on how the Champions League was all there was to fight for today with title and relegation sewn up. We start with Fulham v Manchester City with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer alongside Lineker.

Before the music we all know from our childhoods, the BBc show highlights from Gary Lineker’s career. Match of the Day is getting started and for the last time with Lineker as the presenter, he began back in 1999. Any favourite Lineker MOTD moments? Email me and let me know.

A recap of today’s results before Match of the Day gets underway:

Here is some more background on Gary Lineker’s BBC exit:

Andy Hunter

Touches of class abounded at Anfield. There was the impromptu guard of honour that Liverpool gave Crystal Palace in recognition of their historic FA Cup win and the tumultuous reception that meant everything to Trent Alexander-Arnold as he stepped on to the podium to collect one final medal with his boyhood club. Most poignantly and appropriately, there was the sight of Alan Hansen passing the Premier League trophy to Virgil van Dijk. A weight of history passed between two great Liverpool captains as well. Read the full report:

Michael Savage

It is a scenario straight from the footballing world. A public falling out, leading to a star player becoming a free agent. From the moment Gary Lineker’s hastened departure from the BBC was announced this week, after he apologised for amplifying a social media post with antisemitic connotations, speculation began over his next move. In truth, however, the 64-year-old had already been thinking about his plans beyond the broadcaster. Read the full piece:

I will still be reflecting some reaction from today’s Premier League action but some attention will now be turned to the Match of the Day as it is the final episode with Gary Lineker at the helm.

Jamie Jackson

On 73 minutes here came a moment that Aston Villa argued afterwards might have cost them the bumper prize of Champions League football next season and its lucrative cash injection of millions, and which promoted an official complaint about why Thomas Bramall and not a more experienced referee was in charge. Read the full report:

Will Unwin

It was a day of farewells at Molineux where Bryan Mbeumo and Marshall Munetsi exchanged goals in an entertaining draw. Wolves supporters got to potentially watch Matheus Cunha for one final time in gold before his likely summer departure, while Brentford said goodbye to the chances of European football. Read the full report:

“Without wanting to annoy Hammers supporters,” David Wall gingerly says. “Why is there so little talk of Jarrod Bowen when it comes to transfer speculation? A few years ago there was some talk about him going to Liverpool but since then his name is rarely mentioned. Yet he is the ideal wide forward, both hard working and genuinely productive in terms of goals and assists. I expect his statistics match up well against any of the players in a similar position at clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United, etc. Is it as much about who is in fashion as it is about who would make a sensible signing?”

It is slightly perplexing that he isn’t linked with other clubs, given he has started to break into the England team as well. It could be because the Hammers have not had the greatest league season? Who knows? But I think West Ham supporters will happily keep Jarrod as one of their own.

Barney Ronay

With 20 minutes gone at Craven Cottage, and with Fulham yet to muster anything even the most creative observer could describe as an attack, Ilkay Gündogan scored a thrillingly explosive goal to draw any real sense of sting from this final-day stroll in the south-west London sun.

A fun fact for you, Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo is the first player for the club’s men’s team to start every Premier League game since Cesar Azpilicueta in the 2018/19 campaign.

Ed Aarons

This was the kind of end‑of‑season match where there was almost as much interest in what was happening in the stands as on the pitch. Banned from the touchline after picking up a suspension against Newcastle last week, Mikel Arteta was seen deep in conversation with the Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke throughout as Kieran Tierney signed off with a goal before he returns to Celtic and Martin Ødegaard broke Southampton’s hearts with a late winner. Read the full report:

Ben Fisher

Before kick-off, a giant banner dangled from the upper tier of the Trent End. It was an oversized brown tourist sign. “Destination: Europe,” it read. Below that, a flag of a camper van with Nottingham Forest scarves flickering out of the windows. For Forest, all roads from here lead to the Europa Conference League and not the Champions League, which Chelsea will play in next season after two years away. First, however, for Enzo Maresca and Chelsea, is a trip to Wroclaw, a final against Real Betis, in the competition Forest will grace for the first time next season. Read the full report:

Wolves manager Vitor Pereira told the BBC: “Very proud of my players, the club and our supporters.

“We wanted to finish with a win, but it was not possible in a good game with chances for both sides. It was a game we could win, but [Brentford] could have won also.

“We lost two positions [in the table]. I’m not happy with this, but I’m very happy with what we’ve achieved this season since we arrived.

“After the City game, we committed some mistakes that were not usual. Sometimes it looks like we’re not focused in those moments. We’ve conceded some goals that we cannot concede.”

David Hytner

Brighton wanted to lock down eighth place to give themselves hope of a Uefa Conference League finish. They got the result thanks to a pair of Jack Hinshelwood goals, a penalty from the substitute, Matt O’Riley, and a cracker from another replacement, Diego Gómez. Sadly for them, it would not be enough in terms of the European picture, results elsewhere not falling for them. Read the report:

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has reacted to his team securing third and he speaks in the third person as he does so: “This club has to play in the Champions League, I have to play in the Champions League, Pep has to manage the team in the Champions League, so it’s important and we’re relieved now to be there because it’s been a hard and difficult season. We’re really happy.

“We came back after a really difficult period and we’ve been working through it together. It’s not been easy but we’ve shown great character. In the end we’ve come third and we’re relieved, we’re really happy. We’re focused on going into the Club World Cup in good shape and to attack that.”

Photograph: David Cliff/EPA

Louise Taylor

For quite a while the defiant brilliance of Everton’s Jordan Pickford and the attacking excellence of Carlos Alcaraz threatened to derail Newcastle’s Champions League ambitions. Ultimately, Aston Villa’s defeat at Manchester United enabled Eddie Howe’s team to stumble into Europe’s showpiece competition on goal difference but this reminder of their fallibility served as a warning that the St James’ Park squad could do with some significant reinforcement. Read full report:

Norwich City identify Manning as manager target

Ben Fisher

Norwich City have identified Liam Manning as their No 1 target and are hopeful of appointing the Bristol City head coach in the coming days.

Norwich are confident of completing a deal for Manning, who has a release clause in his contract with the Robins. The 39-year-old played and coached at Ipswich before joining West Ham’s academy in 2015. He has since worked at Lommel, MK Dons and Oxford United.

Manning has impressed at Bristol City, whom he led to the playoffs this season, the club finishing in the Championship top six for the first time in 17 years. Norwich’s sporting director, Ben Knapper, is thought to be an admirer of Manning.

Norwich are also thought to have interviewed their former player and the former Wolves and Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil about succeeding Johannes Hoff Thorup, who was sacked after a disappointing end to the season.

The former Arsenal player and coach Jack Wilshere took interim charge for Norwich’s final two matches of the season but this week he announced his departure from the club.

Source From: Premier League | The Guardian

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