Joe Hart has praised Gary Lineker for his support after the former Match of the Day host left the BBC amid controversy. Hart, now a BBC World Cup pundit, said Lineker showed his true colours by helping him settle into the broadcaster's football coverage.
Lineker's Departure from the BBC
Gary Lineker left the BBC last year after more than 25 years as the face of Match of the Day, stepping down at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season. His exit followed a series of controversies, including a social media post about the Israel-Palestine conflict that featured an image of a rat, a symbol historically associated with antisemitism. Lineker apologised, saying he had not been aware of the image's connotations, and announced he would stand down ahead of the World Cup.
In his statement, Lineker said: "I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action." He has since been replaced by Kelly Cates, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, who now present Match of the Day.
Hart's Tribute to Lineker
Speaking to The Mirror, Joe Hart reflected on Lineker's impact. "The world keeps spinning, I find that in football. That was one of the things I learned very, very early. You had such important people leave, you had managers leave, and you felt like it was going to be a huge hole," Hart said. "But Gary was unbelievable, brilliant, what he did for the Match of the Day, very welcoming to me. I can't thank him enough for how he integrated me into the MOTD family, and he was an incredible spearhead for it."
Hart, a former Celtic and England goalkeeper, now works regularly as a pundit for the BBC during the World Cup. His comments highlight Lineker's role in boosting MOTD's popularity in modern football.
Moving Forward
Hart acknowledged that football must move on and praised the BBC's handling of the transition. "He's moved on and the presenters who have come in have been excellent. You know, Kelly, Gabby, Mark Chapman, all brilliant in their own rights. Like I say, the world keeps spinning. They are doing a top job, but no one will ever forget the incredible work that Gary did," he added.
The BBC's refreshed programme has been well received, with Hart noting the seamless handover. Lineker's legacy remains strong, but the new presenting team has stepped up to maintain the show's high standards.
