Gary Lineker won’t be presenting the BBC’s Champions League highlights programme, with the first episode set to air tonight.
The Beeb have opted to go with the likes of Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Jason Mohammad instead, while the likes of Joe Hart, Theo Walcott, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Steph Houghton, Nedum Onuoha, and Stephen Warnock will all be part of their punditry line-up.
The BBC have branded the show Match of the Day: Champions League as fans look ahead to the first episode.
And many fans on social media will undoubtedly be wondering why Lineker won’t be appearing.
Well, a report from the Telegraph published in July explains his absence.
It was claimed at the time that Lineker had held talks with BBC chiefs about potentially taking on the role, in addition to his duties as Match of the Day presenter on Saturday nights.
However, no formal offer was made despite the discussions behind the scenes.
Lineker’s busy schedule was cited as a factor, with the former Tottenham, Leicester and Barcelona star’s Rest in Football podcast currently taking up plenty of time.
The podcast, which often has Alan Shearer and Micah Richards appear as guests, is immensely popular and profitable.
And it was also claimed that there was a ‘reluctance’ from Lineker to journey to the Beeb’s headquarters in Salford from his home in west London for midweek programmes, too.
Four British teams will be discussed in tonight’s first episode.
Pundits will analyse Aston Villa’s thumping 3-0 win over FC Young Boys, with Unai Emery’s side picking up all three points courtesy of goals from Youri Tielemans, Jacob Ramsey and Amadou Onana.
They’ll also talk over Liverpool’s 3-1 win over AC Milan, with the Reds winning following efforts from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Two other English sides are in action tonight.
Manchester City, who won the competition in 2023 with victory over Inter Milan, will do battle with the same opponents at the Etihad Stadium.
And BBC pundits and presenters will also give their verdicts on the outcome of Celtic’s showdown with Slovan Bratislava.
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Speaking last month, meanwhile, Lineker indicated that he could stay on as MOTD host.
His current deal with the BBC is set to expire at the end of the season.
But Lineker is open to staying on, with the ex-footballer saying: “Match Of The Day is such an iconic show, 60 years is such a long time and I have presented it for 25 of those years.
“Podcast-wise, things have really exceeded our expectations but, at the same time, I love being part of Match Of The Day.
“I love working for the BBC. I know it has its issues and it has its troubles but I think it’s brilliant.
“I think sometimes we don’t shout about how good we are at the BBC.”
He added: “I don’t know [how long I will stay]. Depends how long they want me, I suppose.
“I love doing it at the moment – I’ve still got another year left, at least.”
