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Gary Lineker says BBC contract talks ‘just started’ after Match of the Day future put into doubt

Gary Lineker, sports broadcaster and former England soccer player smiles as he takes his seat in the Royal Box on Centre Court on day six of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Saturday, July 8, 2023
Gary Lineker is the highest-paid presenter at the BBC - AP/Alastair Grant

Gary Lineker has broken his silence on his Match of the Day contract talks after his future on the programme was thrown into doubt.

Lineker said negotiations with the BBC had “just started” following 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 that Saturday would be Lineker’s final appearance on Match of the Day, with the former England captain out of contract at the end of the season and expected to be offered significantly reduced terms to extend his 25-year stint as host.

Lineker opened that episode by making light of suggestions it was his last show and he has now opened up about the saga after being quizzed by colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards on their The Rest is Football podcast.

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 OK. I believe you’re in a similar predicament, you two as well.

“I’m more concerned, actually, about my cold. I started feeling not very well on the way home last night. Terrible throat and phlegmy and yuck.”

Reports indicate Lineker is to be offered a new contract worth £1 million-a-year, significantly down from his existing £1.35 million deal that makes him the highest-paid BBC presenter.

When asked by the Daily Mail outside his home about his future, Lineker initially told reporters to “f--- off” before adding the following day: “Be better.”

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.

However, the trio chose not to take the reports too seriously, with Richards saying: “It’s good we could laugh about it, isn’t it?”

Lineker added: “Well, that’s it. There’s bigger problems in the world, that’s for sure.”