Gary Lineker has been defended by GB News host Eamonn Holmes after it was confirmed that the BBC presenter will step down from Match of the Day after 25 years.
Lineker will depart from anchoring the broadcaster's landmark football show after the current season, which comes to a close in May 2025.
The BBC has claimed that although Lineker "was open to staying on at Match of the Day", the broadcaster "did not offer him a new contract for the show".
Speaking on GB News, host Eamonn Holmes suggested that the BBC has a "personal vendetta" against one of their highest paid presenters.
Eamonn Holmes defended Gary Lineker following his confirmed departure from Match of the Day
PA / GB News
Eamonn claimed: "The BBC invested so much money in Gary, and they trained him like they never trained anybody.
"He has become really well associated with the programme. I hear that he doesn't want to leave, but the BBC have decided that's enough of you, you're going to get the elbow."
Praising Lineker, Eamonn stated that the presenter is "in his prime" after 25 years on the show, and is "very good" at what he does.
Eamonn told sports reporter Paul Coyte: "I think he's in his prime. I think he's very, very good at what he does, and it seems to be some sort of personal vendetta that the BBC have decided they are fed up with him talking."
Gary Lineker has presented the BBC's football show for 25 years
BBC
Delivering his verdict on Lineker's departure, Paul admitted that to him the decision is "not a surprise", and he still has "plenty of time" left with the BBC before he steps down.
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Paul told GB News: "He's got until the end of the season - it's right after this season and then right after the World Cup.
"So there's still there's plenty of time, but I don't think it's a real surprise."
Questioning the future of the show and who will replace Lineker, Paul wondered "where the show will go next", suggesting the "smart money" is "no longer on Jemaine Jenas".
He explained: "Surely the smart money would have been on Jermaine Jenas, but now we know he's out of the way. So where do they go now?"
Eamonn told GB News that the broadcaster has a 'personal vendetta' against Lineker
GB News
Suggesting Alex Scott as the next possible host, Eamonn disagreed with Paul and claimed she "hasn't got enough gravitas" to anchor the show.
The Breakfast presenter concluded: "They could go with Gabby Logan, or it could be Mark Chapman, but he's not a big enough name.
"Bring back Des Lynam - there was no one like Des, he was the top man, but I think Gary Lineker really has made the job his own.
"This is the thing with television, they think it doesn't matter who presents, people will watch the product, which is nonsense."
