Gary Lineker feared to have lost Match of the Day role as ‘leak’ points to exit statement | Football | Sport

Gary Lineker’s future as the presenter of Match of the Day is under fresh doubt with his BBC contract expiring at the end of the football season. It has been claimed that a ‘leaked’ email circulated among corporation bosses suggests that the former England star’s exit statement is being prepared.

Lineker is the BBC‘s highest-paid star, earning a £1.35million salary. However, reports at the end of last year claimed that there was uncertainty over whether his deal would be extended.

The 63-year-old has been a staple of late-night Premier League highlights for well over two decades having hosted Match of the Day since 1999. However, the Daily Mail claims to have seen an email which suggests the BBC are planning his departure. The veracity of the supposed communication has not been verified, though.

A BBC spokesperson reportedly 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.”

When approached outside his south-west London home, Lineker is reported to have said: “F*** off, I won’t talk to you. Go away.”

Last September, reports claimed that Lineker was prepared to take a pay cut to stay on at the BBC. it was suggested that his new salary would decrease to £1m per year.

A source was quoted as saying by The Sun: “Gary is hugely popular with both fans and players alike. The sense is that, with so much uncertainty and scandal at the BBC, right now viewers are crying out for a safe pair of hands.

“Gary adores the BBC, and loves his job, and recognises what an honour it is to host television’s flagship football show, as well as international games.

“Gary has long maintained that the BBC provides excellent value for money – and has quite literally put his money where his mouth is and offered to take a substantial pay cut.”

Lineker – who played his club football for the likes of Barcelona, Tottenham and Everton – only recently revealed that he believes he could host Match of the Day for at least one more year. He told BBC breakfast: “I mean, I love doing it at the moment (and) I’ve got another year doing it, at least.

“We’ll have to wait and see what happens. It’s an ever-changing feast, football, and television and football, and rights for the Premier League and stuff like that so all of these things will play a part. But I just feel that it’s been a privilege to present it for 25 years now. I must be getting old.”