BBC have confirmed that Alan Shearer and Micah Richards will continue as pundits of Match of the Day next season despite Gary Lineker leaving the role.

Lineker is stepping down from his long-term role as presenter of the premier football highlights programme at the end of this season after 25 years. The former Tottenham and England striker will stay with BBC until after the 2026 World Cup, having secured a new agreement to present live matches.

The Leicester-born present has hosted Match of the Day since 1999 but there will be a rotation of hosts starting from the 2025/25 campaign.

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Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will split presenting duties for Match of the Day, Match of the Day 2 on Sundays and MOTD: Champions League on Wednesdays.

It is the first time the show will have the role shared between three people. The trio become the sixth set of main presenters of the popular highlights programme. Shearer and Richards, who run 'The Rest is Football' podcast with Lineker, will continue as regular pundits on the show.

BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski applauded the work of the three in leading the coverage in the future. "I know viewers will love these three incredible broadcasters and journalists at the heart of our football coverage next season," he said.

"They're brilliant at what they do and MOTD viewers can be sure they will be well looked after as the big football talking points are expertly analysed.

"Gary has done a phenomenal job at Match of the Day for the last 25 years, he'll be missed greatly and we all still get to enjoy him on our screens across some of football's greatest tournaments.

"Outside of Match of the Day we've got some great new shows, voices and surprises lined up for the 2025-26 season across audio, video and digital and we look forward to sharing them with you all later in the year.

"It's a truly exciting time for BBC Sport's football coverage."