'Match of the Day' pundit Lee Dixon to leave BBC Sport
Published Jul 19 2012, 12:38 BST | By Andrew Laughlin
© BBC
The 48-year-old revealed via Twitter that his eight-year association with the corporation is coming to an end.
"Sad to be leaving BBC," he tweeted earlier in the week. "Nothing lasts forever. New challenges ahead. Loved my time there. Wonderful people... Just time to move on."
The former England defender has been a prominent fixture on the BBC's Match of the Day programme, alongside fellow pundits Alan Hansen, Alan Shearer and Mark Lawrenson.
Hansen, Shearer and Lawrenson have all come in for criticism from viewers, but Dixon has not taken similar flack for his insight into Premier League and international football.
Eurosport reports that viewers have reacted with disappointment to the news.
"Beeb's lost its best-by-far football pundit in Lee Dixon," tweeted John Wilson. "A proper analyst left on sub's bench too often. Shame."
Annie Evans added: "Thought Lee Dixon was one of the best parts of BBC's football coverage. Seems odd they've let him go."
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Speculation is that Dixon is being lined up to join ITV's football coverage as a replacement for Gareth Southgate, who is leaving to become technical director of the Football Association.
Whilst Dixon would be losing the opportunity to comment on Premier League action because ITV does not hold the rights, he could be swayed by Champions League and his friendship with lead presenter Adrian Chiles.
However, another possible destination for the pundit could be BT, after the telecoms giant agreed a multi-milllion pound deal to show 38 Premier League games live each season, starting in August 2013.
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has already been rumoured as a target for BT, as the firm looks to put together a presenting team for its forthcoming sports channel.
bbc dnt have the fa cup or europa or champions league there main show is a highlights show at weekend only when olympic footy on or england playing is a full match on bbc. bbc paid 22 million for 2 year contract for the voice which has cut all sport investment down bbc does sport the best so why cut that!!!
July 21st 2012 at 4:48pm
the bbc has hardly any live football rights at all now so better off going to sky, itv or bt
July 20th 2012 at 12:36pm(+1 like)
eh? the BBC still have the FA Cup, internationals and coverage of other leagues. BT have a handful of matches only from the Premier League. ITV have next to nothing. The BBC and Sky still have most of the football between them.
He'll end up at Sky or BT because he's being offered alot of money. I'll miss him from the BBC coverage as their anchors and pundits are mostly awful.
July 20th 2012 at 2:06pm
BBC Don't have FA Cup, They got highlights of Premier League and Football League rivkin is actually correct
July 20th 2012 at 7:11pm(+1 like)
Seems early to leave if its for BT, since their deal only starts for the 2013-2014 season,,,
July 19th 2012 at 11:49pm
best pundit on motd. shame he wasnt a regular. if he moves to itv they should let go of townsend and bring in dixon.
July 19th 2012 at 9:52pm
And nothing of value was lost!
July 19th 2012 at 9:27pm