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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>MOTD pundits believe title race is over</li><li>Lineker leaving show this summer</li><li>Murphy jokes he could take early retirement</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Early retirement for Gary Lineker? Departing Match Of The Day host teased over quick exit by pundit Danny Murphy

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<p>Lineker, Murphy and Alan Shearer were discussing the chances of Arsenal catching Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, agreeing that it was not going to happen for the Gunners after falling eight points behind. Lineker then joked that they shouldn't bother with the rest of the season, prompting Murphy to tell him to take early retirement.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/gary-lineker-to-quit-match-of-the-day-date-presenter-final-bbc-broadcast-revealed/blt0a2f31608b359af9" target="_blank">Lineker announced in November that he would be leaving the flagship highlights show</a>, which he has hosted since 1999. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/gary-lineker-succession-team-confirmed-bbc-match-of-the-day-announce-three-new-presenters-flagship-show/blt46309070db88fa51" target="_blank">He will be replaced by a rotating cast of Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan</a>.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Whether the title race is done or not - you can't retire from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MOTD?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MOTD</a> just yet, <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryLineker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GaryLineker</a> 😉<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBCFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBCFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/CWY49Vn3mK">pic.twitter.com/CWY49Vn3mK</a></p>— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1893442264065552695?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>When Lineker asked whether the title race is over, Murphy said, "I think so. Mainly because I don't see Arsenal winning all their games so Liverpool can have the odd hiccup. And Liverpool have only lost one so when they play badly they still pick up points."</p><p>Lineker replied, 'We may as well not bother with the rest of the season,' to which Murphy responded, "Early retirement!"</p>

WHAT MURPHY SAID

<p>Though Lineker is standing down from the weekly Premier League highlights show, he will continue to front BBC's live coverage for one more year. He will be the face of the channel's FA Cup output throughout the 2025-26 campaign before retiring completely at the end of the 2026 World Cup.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LINEKER?

Early retirement for Gary Lineker? Departing Match Of The Day host teased over quick exit by pundit Danny Murphy | Goal.com

Match Of The Day pundit Danny Murphy joked on Saturday night that Gary Lineker should take early retirement due to the Premier League title race.

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