Gary Lineker's departure won't bring me back to Match of the Day - here's why

The news of Gary Lineker's impending exit from Match of the Day next year has certainly made waves, and it's not hard to see why. The ex-England forward has become as much a fixture of the show as the football itself, with his Saturday night banter with Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Danny Murphy and other pundits becoming a staple of our weekend viewing.

But does Match of the Day hold the same relevance in 2024?

Personally, I often find myself turning to free Premier League highlights on YouTube or the Sky Sports website for games I've missed on TV. Sure, these online snippets may be shorter and not cover every missed opportunity or save, but they serve their purpose.

With the wealth of live football available on Sky Sports, TNT and occasionally Amazon, I usually catch the matches that pique my interest in real time, eliminating the need for highlight reels. Then there's the question of whether the pundit analysis sandwiched between highlights is worth tuning in for.

For me, it's all about the game itself. Pre-match build-ups and post-match analyses rarely make my viewing list, unless it's following a significant England match at a major tournament or a Champions League, World Cup or European Championship final.

This isn't a slight on the pundits - there are many who do a fantastic job - it's just not my cup of tea. Of course, my perspective might be completely off base.

I'm sure there are plenty who tune in religiously every weekend, and I can understand the appeal of extended highlights over brief online clips.

However, with the abundance of football available to watch live at the pub or from the comfort of your own home with a subscription, it begs the question of whether Match of the Day's relevance is dwindling. This isn't to say that the show shouldn't exist, as many fans may not have access to online highlights.

But will the departure of Lineker and his subsequent replacement really alter the perception of the show and entice me to tune in again?

Highly unlikely.