Arne Slot sends classy message to Gary Lineker during his final Match of the Day

Liverpool manager Arne Slot shared some kind words for Gary Lineker at the end of their interview during the presenter’s final episode of Match of the Day on Sunday

Arne Slot paid tribute to Gary Lineker for his work over 25 years at the helm of Match of the Day after Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions. Slot was interviewed by Lineker on the Anfield pitch after his side finally got to lift the Premier League trophy, and he chose to praise the presenter who is stepping down.

Liverpool concluded their 2024/25 season with a 1-1 draw against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon. Mohamed Salah’s goal cancelled out a strike from Ismaila Sarr amid a party atmosphere at Anfield.

The Reds were then presented with the trophy that they secured back on April 27 with a 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham. After the game the Liverpool manager spoke to Lineker via a video link from the Match of the Day studio.

Having discussed the season and plans for the summer, Lineker wrapped up the interview – only to see the conversation turn towards himself. “Thanks very much for talking to us and congratulations,” Lineker said.

Slot responded: “Thank you for now and thank you for being such a great presenter of a BBC show that I’ve watched many times when I lived in Holland and now still. It’s great what you did. I’d have liked to give you a Liverpool shirt, instead of the other club that you played for.”

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Lineker replied: “Arne, thank you, I appreciate that.” Slot then added: “You’re welcome, all the best.”

His wasn’t the only tribute to Lineker, with Sunday night’s broadcast packed full of them. The 64-year-old presenter was given a commemorative cap by pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, as well as a Golden Boot for his services to the show.

Shearer then posted on X: “It has been an honour to share the MOTD studio with you @GaryLineker. THANK YOU for everything over the years. You are an outstanding broadcaster and manage to make a difficult job look easy. You’re a great friend and we will miss you on the studio floor. Thank you.”

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Commentator Mark Scott also used the occasion in his introduction to Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Fulham. He said: “One of the best in the business makes his final appearance in front of the Match of the Day cameras, and you could say the same of Kevin De Bruyne…”

Lineker had to hold back the tears when he closed the programme with a farewell statement. “Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the other pundits that I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years, you’ve made my job so much easier,” he began.

“Also, a huge thank you to those you don’t see at home: the work that goes into making this iconic show is a huge team effort. From the editors, to the analysis team, from the commentators to the floor managers, from the producers to the camera operators, from the PAs to the subs, thank you all, you’re the very best.

“Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits. It’s been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It’s been utterly joyous.”

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