Former England duo Joe Hart and Theo Walcott are set to appear as pundits on Match of the Day following Ian Wright's departure from the show.
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Hart & Walcott to replace WrightWright made MOTD debut in 1997Left show after 2023-24 seasonWHAT HAPPENED?
The BBC have confirmed that Man City legend Hart and former Arsenal star Walcott will appear on Match of the Day this season after Wright decided to end his long stay on the Premier League highlights show. Both Hart and Walcott have moved into punditry since retiring from football – Hart worked with the BBC at Euro 2024 – and will offer a fresh perspective on the modern game.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
There are two new guests who will review the top-flight action alongside host Gary Lineker. Hart, who ended his playing career by winning the Scottish title with Celtic, was articulate during Euro 2024 and offered a goalkeeper's take on goals and other incidents. Walcott has covered the Premier League with Sky Sports and can also be expected to provide insightful analysis.
WHAT WRIGHT SAID
Explaining his decision to leave MOTD, Wright said: "It was time. I had a dear friend who said that sometimes you’ve got to know when to step back, change, rest, have a break, and say no – it's just time. When you’re on Match of the Day, you're live and I've had a massive problem before with people knowing where you are, so I always want to get back home to the missus and the girls.
"It just takes me two to three days after that to get ready and there are other things I'm doing which I just haven't got the energy for sometimes. I'm getting older, I just want to make sure I use the time well and efficiently for myself and at the moment, Match of the Day is the one that if something had to go, it had to be that."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MOTD?
The BBC's flagship show, which has been on air since 1964, will return for another season this Saturday when Lineker and Co. break down the day's action, which includes Liverpool's trip to Ipswich Town and Arsenal against Wolves.
