Shearer confirms scaled-back Match of the Day role to reclaim weekends, denies BBC rift

Alan Shearer will not appear on Match of the Day this weekend, with the BBC and the former England striker both pushing back on claims that a behind-the-scenes dispute is driving his reduced schedule.

Shearer, 56, confirmed he has been in discussions with the BBC “for some time” about scaling back his commitments on the show he has been part of for two decades. He said the decision is “purely so he can have some weekends back” and insisted he has “always had a positive relationship with everyone at the BBC.”

The Daily Mail had reported an alleged rift between Shearer and BBC director of sport Alex Jay-Kelski, but a BBC spokesperson flatly rejected that framing: “The suggestion that Alan is reducing his Match of the Day appearances because of the director of sport is untrue.”

Shearer appeared on the opening show of the 2026/27 season alongside host Mark Chapman and Wayne Rooney, and is now expected to feature roughly once a month — or potentially less frequently. Fellow pundit Micah Richards has also reportedly requested a reduced workload, though it is unclear whether that arrangement has been confirmed.

This Saturday’s Match of the Day will be presented by Kelly Cates, with Joe Hart and Ashley Williams as pundits. Gabby Logan chairs Sunday’s edition, with Shay Given and Ellen White completing her panel.

The changes come a year after Gary Lineker’s departure from the programme. Lineker, Shearer, and Richards continue to collaborate on The Rest Is Football podcast, which has been picked up by Netflix for the new season.

Shearer remains the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer with 260 goals. He retired from playing in 2006 and joined the Match of the Day team almost immediately afterwards.