BBC issues statement on Gary Lineker’s future after ’email announcing departure leaks out’
The BBC have issued a statement responding to doubts over Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day future after emails were seemingly leaked.
The 63-year-old’s future with the broadcaster is currently up in the air, with his contract due to expire next year.
On Thurday, the Daily Mail claimed a statement had already been drafted up in the event of Lineker’s potential departure.
It was said that an ’email has been circulating’ of the statement, though the authenticity isn’t verified.
And the BBC have now denied the announcement and reaffired that Lineker was under contract with them until next year.
“We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract,” a spokesperson for the Beeb said.
“He is under contract until the end of the season.”
Lineker is currently the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, having worked on Match of the Day ever since the departure of Des Lynam to ITV back in 1999.
Earlier this year, it emerged that Jermaine Jenas was the favourite to take over from the former England, Tottenham, Leicester and Barcelona star.
However, the situation has since changed with Jenas axed back in August.
The former midfielder was sacked by the BBC following complaints of inappropriate behaviour.
Jenas later admitted that he had made mistakes while working for the broadcaster. He has fronted up and is currently working to repair his marriage to his wife, Ellie Penfold.
Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman have been touted as potential replacements for Lineker if he leaves next year.
Yet there remains a chance he’ll continue to present Match of the Day, with a contract renewal still a possibility.
Lineker was asked about his future as MOTD host in August.
When quizzed, he said: “I don’t…I don’t know!
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“Depends how long they want me, I suppose.
“I love doing it at the moment; I’ve still got another year left, at least.”
He then added: “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.”
Whatever happens, however, Lineker is proud to have been host of Match of the Day for a quarter of a century.
“All of these things will play a part,” he continued.
“But I just feel it’s been an absolute privilege to have presented it for 25 years now. I must be getting old!”
