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Gary Lineker Sets Sights Beyond Match of the Day: Glastonbury, New Shows, and a Pep Guardiola Anecdote
about 1 year agoGB
After an iconic 25-season run, Gary Lineker is stepping down as the main host of BBC's Match of the Day, with his final appearance set for May 25th, 2025. However, the former England striker isn't fading from the limelight. He's lining up new ventures, including festival appearances, television projects, and continuing his successful podcasting career, alongside sharing amusing anecdotes from his playing days.
Key Insights
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MOTD Departure:: Lineker concludes his 25-season tenure as the face of Match of the Day on May 25th, 2025. Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Kelly Cates are set to take over hosting duties.
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Glastonbury Appearance:: Just a month after his final MOTD show, Lineker will be a guest speaker at the Glastonbury Festival (June 25-29) in the Silver Hayes area, alongside fellow ex-England international Jill Scott.
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New ITV Show:: Lineker is also set to feature on a new ITV programme called "Assembly," where he will field questions from neurodivergent individuals.
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Podcast Focus:: He continues to expand his Goalhanger Podcasts empire, co-hosting the popular "The Rest is Football" podcast with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, and overseeing numerous other chart-topping shows.
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Guardiola's Grudge:: Lineker revealed that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, a ballboy during Lineker's Barcelona stint (1986-89), held a long-standing grudge because Lineker never gave him his match shirt despite repeated requests.
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Why This Matters:: This marks a significant transition for a beloved figure in UK football broadcasting. Fans will see Lineker move away from regular football punditry on TV towards podcasts and curated appearances, reflecting broader shifts in media consumption.
In-Depth Analysis
Gary Lineker's departure from Match of the Day signifies the end of an era for the BBC's flagship football highlights show. After a quarter-century in the presenter's chair, his final weekly show airs on May 25th, though he will continue FA Cup and World Cup coverage for the BBC.
His schedule remains busy post-MOTD. Lineker's appearance at Glastonbury adds a different dimension to his public profile, joining other football personalities like Jill Scott and Carly Telford in the festival's Silver Hayes programme, known for combining music with debate and culture. Furthermore, his participation in ITV's "Assembly" showcases a commitment to diverse platforms.
Despite stepping back from regular TV punditry, Lineker remains deeply involved in football discussion through Goalhanger Podcasts. "The Rest is Football," co-hosted with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, is a major success, alongside other popular podcasts under the Goalhanger umbrella like "The Rest is History" and "The Rest is Politics." Lineker himself stated he doesn't foresee appearing regularly on other channels for football analysis.
Adding a touch of historical anecdote, Lineker recently shared a story about a young Pep Guardiola. During Lineker's playing days at Barcelona, Guardiola, then a ballboy, persistently asked for his shirt after games. Lineker consistently refused, much to Guardiola's chagrin. Years later, when interviewing Guardiola for the BBC, Lineker explained the context: "Pep, it wasn't like it is now. In those days we only had one shirt. We weren't allowed to give it away." Thankfully, the two have since reconciled over the decades-old shirt snub.
FAQs
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Q: When is Gary Lineker leaving Match of the Day?
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A: His final weekly show as the main host is scheduled for May 25th, 2025, completing 25 seasons.
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Q: What is Gary Lineker doing next?
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A: He's confirmed as a speaker at Glastonbury Festival in June 2025, will appear on a new ITV show "Assembly," and continues to run Goalhanger Podcasts, including co-hosting "The Rest is Football."
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Q: Why didn't Lineker give Pep Guardiola his shirt when Guardiola was a ballboy?
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A: Lineker explained that during his playing time at Barcelona (late 1980s), players were typically issued only one shirt per match and were not permitted by the club to give them away to fans or ballboys.
Key Takeaways
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While Lineker's familiar presence will be missed on weekly Match of the Day broadcasts, fans can still engage with his insights via his popular podcasts.
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His upcoming appearances at Glastonbury and on ITV offer new ways to see the presenter outside of traditional sports broadcasting.
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The anecdote involving Pep Guardiola provides a charming insight into the past realities of professional football compared to today's practices.
Discussion
What are your favorite memories of Lineker on Match of the Day? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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Sources & References
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Source 1: Gary Lineker lands Glastonbury line-up slot weeks after Match of the Day exit | talkSPORT target="_blank"
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Source 2: Gary Lineker reveals real reason why he snubbed Premier League icon who begged for his shirt | Daily Mail Online target="_blank"
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Source 3: Gary Lineker reveals truth behind brutal Pep Guardiola snub and 27-year grudge | The Mirror target="_blank"
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