Gary Lineker Addresses Rumors About His Future on Match of the Day Amid Contract Talks
Gary Lineker has addressed rumours surrounding his future as the host of Match of the Day, confirming that negotiations for his contract with the BBC have "just started." The 63-year-old football legend, who has been the face of the show since 1999, is in talks with the BBC as his current contract runs out at the end of the football season.
He downplayed the media speculation, calling it “a strange few days,” but reassured fans that “all is okay.”
The rumours began last week when MailOnline reported that BBC bosses were preparing to announce Lineker's departure.
Lineker jokes about rumours surrounding contract on Match of the Day
On his podcast, The Rest is Football, Lineker joked about the situation, saying, “I don’t know why it all spiralled out of control. There are bigger problems in the world, that’s for sure.”
Co-host Alan Shearer poked fun at Lineker’s contract talks, comparing his situation to Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who are also nearing the end of their contracts.
Lineker quipped that there was "one significant difference – Liverpool fans really care about those three."
During Saturday’s Match of the Day, Lineker continued to joke about the rumours, opening the show by saying, “It’s my final show... before the international break,” poking fun at the speculation.
His podcast co-host Micah Richards also joined in on the light-hearted banter, noting that he had been given 4-to-1 odds to replace Lineker.
In response, Shearer jokes, "That is a massive concern. I'm not signing my contract if you're presenter."
BBC confirm no next steps with Lineker’s contract have been agreed at this time
Despite the jokes, Lineker acknowledged that the contract talks had only just begun, indicating that no final decision has been made about his future at the BBC.
A BBC spokesperson also clarified, “We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is under contract until the end of the season.”
Lineker, who earns over £1.3 million a year as the BBC’s highest-paid star, has been the subject of controversy in the past due to his social media activity. He was briefly suspended last year after a tweet criticising the UK’s asylum policy sparked backlash. However, he has remained a central figure in British sports broadcasting for over two decades.
With Match of the Day taking a break for international fixtures, the speculation surrounding Lineker’s future will continue until an official announcement is made. For now, it seems the veteran presenter is staying put, with plenty of jokes to go around as the talks continue.
