Gary Lineker clarifies Match of the Day future after exit 'leaked' and final show remark
The BBC reportedly drafted an email confirming Gary Lineker's departure from Match of the Day after 25 years, with the former England striker's contract due to expire next spring
Gary Lineker has clarified his position in talks to continue presenting Match of the Day after the BBC reportedly drafted an email confirming his departure.
Former England striker Lineker has presented MOTD since 1999 but his current £1.35million contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 Premier League season in May. Lineker, 63, quipped at the beginning of Saturday's programme that it was his 'final show... before the international break'.
Now, appearing on his The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker has opened up on his situation. "It's been a strange few days," he admitted. "As you know, like [ Liverpool players] Trent [Alexander-Arnold], like Virgil [van Dijk], like Mo [Salah], I am coming to the end of my contract in the summer. It's natural at some point that you have to have conversations and they've just started. I don't know why it all spiralled out of control, but all is okay."
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The Daily Mail reported last week that the BBC had drafted an email, supposedly written by new director of sport Alex Jay-Kelski, which confirmed Lineker would be leaving at the end of the season. Tim Davie, the broadcaster's director general, was even claimed to have hailed the 63-year-old's 'incredible' career and labelled him a 'world class presenter'.
It's been reported that Lineker would be willing to take a pay cut of around £350,000 in order to extend his stay. He appeared relaxed on Saturday when he began the show by saying: "Seven matches on the way and it's my final show... before the international break," with a cheeky smile.
The BBC haven't disowned the alleged email and when approached for comment, they said: "We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is on contract until the end of the season."
Earlier this year, Lineker - who remains their lead football presenter for international tournaments and the FA Cup - discussed his future on BBC breakfast and said: "It depends how long they want me, I suppose. I love doing it at the moment; I've still got another year left, at least. So we'll have to wait and see what happens.
"Obviously it's another change in football and television and the rights of the Premier League and stuff like that. All of these things will play a part. But I just feel it's been an absolute privilege to have presented it for 25 years now. I must be getting old!"
Chiefs within the broadcasting corporation are understood to be leaning towards Mark Chapman as Lineker's eventual replacement on MOTD. Chapman, 50, already has the gig of presenting Match of the Day 2 on Sundays, having done so since 2013. He's also a presenter on Radio 5 Live and recently was announced as the presenter of the BBC's new Champions League highlights show.
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