A former host of Match of the Day shares their top advice for new presenters after 24 years on the show.

After an incredible 25 years, Gary Lineker has announced that he will be stepping down from his role as the beloved presenter of Match of the Day at the end of this Premier League season. While he has not revealed his ideal candidate to take over, he did have some wise words of advice for whoever does succeed him.

Despite his retirement from Match of the Day, Lineker will continue to work with the BBC in a reduced capacity, covering both the FA Cup and the 2006 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States and America. As for who will fill his shoes on Match of the Day, names like Alex Scott, Mark Chapman, and Gaby Logan are all in the running for this highly coveted position. Lineker has encouraged the future host to stay true to themselves, stating, "be yourself, enjoy it, and live it."

Reflecting on his own experience, Lineker mentioned that he had to step into the "ginormous shoes" of Des Lynam when he first took on the role. He also jokingly added that he was secretly pleased when Lynam left for ITV, as it increased his chances of getting the job. But in all seriousness, Lineker emphasized the importance of being authentic and enjoying the program, which has been a "wonderful" experience for him.

When asked about the scrutiny that comes with being the host of such a popular show, Lineker admitted that he actually enjoys it. He is a driven and ambitious person, and he always wants the show to be as successful as possible. And with the changing viewing habits, with more people watching on iPlayer, Match of the Day continues to be a top-ranked program, with millions of viewers tuning in each weekend.

While Lineker's retirement is a big deal for the show, he is confident that it will continue to be a success. He hopes that it will remain the flagship sports program for the BBC, despite any challenges that may arise with broadcasting rights. Overall, he believes that Match of the Day has had a "huge success" and that it will have a long and prosperous future.

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