Gary Lineker’s tenure as Match of the Day presenter is hot-topic, yet again, amid reports of a ‘leaked’ email from the BBC. The former Everton striker – who has been synonymous with the flagship football programme since 1999, may face an early exit despite his contract running until the close of the 2024/2025 season.
Speculation has been fuelled by reports claiming BBC Sport director – Alex Kay-Jelski – is considering cutting ties with Lineker ahead of schedule. The Daily Mail reckons to have viewed a BBC internal communication hinting at a potential announcement regarding Lineker’s future.
Responding to these claims, a BBC spokesperson stated to the Daily Mail: “We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He’s on contract until the end of the season.”
Approached for a response, Lineker opted not to provide a comment, as per reports from The Mirror. Earlier in the year, Lineker confessed his uncertainty about his duration in the Match of the Day role. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, when quizzed about his future, he expressed: “I don’t… I don’t know.
“It depends how long they want me, I suppose. I love doing it at the moment and 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.
“These factors will come into play. But to have had the honour of hosting it for 25 years feels incredible. It’s making me feel old.”
Gary Lineker pockets a hefty £1.35million annually. He stands as the top earner at the BBC.
Lineker, despite having gigs with other broadcasters, and featuring on his own podcast with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, shared with BBC Breakfast the unique place MOTD occupies in his affections. “It’s been a part of my life, a big part of my life right from the start,” he said. “I watched it as a kid, it was the one night my dad would let me stay up to watch Match of the Day.”