Gary Lineker casts further doubt on Match of the Day future: ‘I have to slow down somewhere’

Gary Lineker has cast further doubt on his BBC future by revealing he could quit Match of the Day to focus on his podcast empire full-time.

Lineker said he may refuse to sign a new contract with the corporation to replace the one that expires next year because he was “getting old” and would soon have to “slow down somewhere”.

The 63-year-old made the comments while speaking to Esquire magazine about his multi-million-pound Goalhanger Podcasts, which includes the increasingly-lucrative The Rest Is Football.

Asked if he would be tempted to go full-time, make a go of it in the United States, and quit his £1.35 million-a-year role hosting the BBC’s flagship football programme, Lineker said: “I could do. Whether that will be the case I don’t know. At some point, I have to slow down somewhere… I’m getting old.”

The former England captain’s comments appear to have been made in early August, two months before the reported leaking of an email quoting the corporation’s director general confirming the departure of its highest-paid presenter.

The email sparked major speculation Lineker was poised to make his final appearance on Match of the Day the following Saturday after a quarter of century hosting the programme.

But Lineker opened that episode by making light of suggestions it was his last show before going on to open up about the saga after being quizzed by colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards on a subsequent episode of The Rest Is Football.

Shearer asked: “Me and Micah have been worried about you the last few days. Can you tell us anything about your contract? It’s like you, [Mohamed] Salah, [Virgil] Van Dijk and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] are all coming to the end of your contract.

“What’s going on? Inform us, please.”

Lineker replied: “I think there is one significant difference. The Liverpool fans really care about those three!

“It’s been a strange few days. As you know, like Trent, like Virgil, like Mo, I’m coming to the end of my contract in the summer. It’s natural at some point that you have to have conversations and they’ve just started.

“I don’t know why it all spiralled out of control, but all is okay. I believe you’re in a similar predicament, you two as well.”

Richards also highlighted the fact his own odds of being the next Match of the Day host had been cut, following the sudden sacking of Jermaine Jenas, who was widely viewed as Lineker’s heir apparent.

“What’s more concerning [is] I’m 4-1 to replace you,” said Richards.

“That is a f------ massive concern by the way,” said Shearer. “I’m not signing my new contract if you’re a presenter, by the way.”

But Lineker added: “4-1? I’d love to see you take over, Micah. I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.

“You’ll have some power then, Micah.”

Doubts over Lineker’s future emerged when an email was leaked purportedly quoting BBC director general Tim Davie and recently-appointed BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski confirming the ex-footballer’s imminent departure.

The corporation refused to confirm or deny whether the email was genuine or not.

Reports indicate Lineker is to be offered a new contract worth £1 million-a-year, significantly down from his existing deal.

When asked by the Daily Mail outside his home about his future last month, Lineker told reporters to “f--- off”.