Alan Shearer has addressed the departure of Gary Lineker from Match of the Day, emphasizing that the program's significance transcends any single individual. Lineker's exit, planned since November, concludes a 26-year tenure as the show's host.

Shearer, a regular pundit alongside Lineker, acknowledged Lineker's remarkable contribution to the show. "He got a really emotional send off on Sunday, and one he deserved, and he's a brilliant broadcaster, and he's a great friend of mine, and we will all miss him". Shearer also noted that his professional relationship with Lineker would continue through their podcast, "The Rest Is Football".

Lineker's departure comes after a controversy involving a social media post. Despite leaving Match of the Day, Lineker will continue working with the BBC, hosting their coverage of the FA Cup through to 2026 and continuing with the Match Of The Day: Top 10 podcast.

Shearer paid tribute to Lineker, simply writing "Thank you for everything". The BBC also created a seven-minute montage featuring tributes from figures like Pep Guardiola and Paul Gascoigne. Lineker himself thanked his colleagues, both on and off-screen, for their contributions to the show's success. "Let me take the opportunity to thank all the other pundits I've had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years. You've made my job so much easier," he said.

The BBC has indicated that plans for the future of Match of the Day will be revealed in due course. Names like Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, Kelly Cates, and Gabby Logan have been suggested as potential replacements for Lineker. Lineker hosted Match Of The Day since 1999 and said it "has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end".