Gary Lineker drops huge hint over Match of the Day future amid anger from BBC bosses behind the scenes
Gary Lineker has dropped a huge hint that he could leave the BBC and Match of the Day when his contract expires next year.
The 63-year-old’s future is currently up in the air. Though he’s willing to take a pay cut, there’s an internal battle happening at the Beeb behind the scenes.
Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski is believed to be in favour of getting rid of Lineker, who is the best-paid TV presenter in the country.
He is said to feel that Match of the Day needs shaking up with a younger host, while reports have suggested he’s unhappy at how outspoken Lineker can be while speaking on his Rest is Football podcast – compared to on MOTD.
Lineker’s contract is due to expire next year and no agreement on a renewal has been reached.
And now, speaking on his podcast, the former England, Tottenham, Leicester and Barcelona star has hinted he could leave in the near future.
“I could do. Whether that will be the case I don’t know,” he said.
“At some point, I have to slow down somewhere… I’m getting old.”
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Lineker has been the host of Match of the Day ever since Des Lynham’s departure to ITV back in 1999.
It was claimed earlier in the year that the presenter had even reached out to ITV to see if there was any interest about him, too, potentially crossing the divide.
Lineker has, however, regularly made it clear just how much Match of the Day means to him.
“Match Of The Day is such an iconic show, 60 years is such a long time and I have presented it for 25 of those years,” he said earlier in the year.
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“Podcast-wise, things have really exceeded our expectations but, at the same time, I love being part of Match Of The Day. I love working for the BBC.
“I know it has its issues and it has its troubles but I think it’s brilliant.
“I think sometimes we don’t shout about how good we are at the BBC and what we offer.”
When it comes to potential successors to Lineker, Jermaine Jenas had been seen as the frontrunner to take over.
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Yet the former Newcastle star left the BBC in August following complaints of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ from two members of staff.
Jenas apologised for his actions in the aftermath.
He has stayed away from television in the time since, with the ex-midfielder working on repairing his relationship to wife, Ellie Penfold.
Mark Chapman is currently the favourite to replace Lineker.
The 51-year-old has presented Match of the Day 2, while he’s also fronted the BBC’s coverage of rugby tournaments in the past.
Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, Jason Mohammed and Dion Dublin have also been linked with the post.
