Alan Shearer has explained why he will be taking on a reduced BBC Match of the Day role (Image: BBC)
BBC pundit Alan Shearer has admitted wanting to watch more Newcastle United games is why he will only be on Match of the Day once every month. The BBC recently confirmed Shearer would be part of their line-up for the 2026/27 season and he subsequently appeared alongside Wayne Rooney for the first show of the year.
However, viewers had been wondering whether or not he will be a weekly regular and Shearer has since confirmed that will not be the case and exactly why that is so. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Sport via Betfair, Shearer said: “I said to them a while back that I would like some of my weekends back on a Saturday.
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“It’ll be about one a month. I’ll be going to more Newcastle games. I love doing the co-comms. When the FA Cup starts in January, there’s loads of co-comms.” The Match of the Day panel has undergone several alterations in recent years, with Gary Lineker replaced as presenter by Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan on a rotating basis.
The likes of Ashley Young, Robbie Keane, Toby Alderweireld and Thomas Frank have also been added as new analysts while Martin Keown, Dion Dublin, Shay Given, Stephen Warnock, Nedum Onuoha and Theo Walcott were absent from their confirmed roster.
It is understood, however, that those omitted will still contribute to the BBC’s Match of the Day coverage throughout this campaign. Shearer’s reduced schedule has likely played a role in that with the Newcastle United icon planning more trips to St James’ Park.
The Magpies opened their Premier League campaign with a thrilling 2-2 stalemate against Liverpool. New boss Matthias Jaissle did secure his first victory in the dugout on Wednesday evening, however, as they overcame Championship outfit West Brom 3-2 in the Carabao Cup.
Shearer also shared his thoughts on the forthcoming season following a turbulent summer transfer window which saw three of their standout players depart. He said: “Plenty of optimism at Newcastle after a long summer. It needed a reset. We mustn’t forget all those players Newcastle sold, wanted to go, didn’t want to be there and didn’t have great seasons last season because Newcastle finished 12th.
“It had to be a reset and it’s going to take a lot of patience at times, albeit hoping for one or two in before the end of the transfer window, then plenty to be optimistic about after the weekend. I don’t expect us to get into European football this year. If we do, great, it’ll be a great bonus but I don’t expect that.”
