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Gary Lineker has mocked intense speculation surrounding his future Match of the Day in the latest edition of the BBC’s flagship football programme.
Speculation that the former England striker’s tenure in the iconic MOTD chair was coming to an end after 25 years grew this week after the Daily Mail reported seeing a “leaked” email purportedly from the director of BBC Sports containing a statement announcing his departure.
However, a BBC spokesperson later insisted there was nothing to announce regarding Lineker, 63, who they say remains under contract until the end of next season .
“We have nothing to announce and we have not agreed on the next steps regarding his contract. He is under contract until the end of the season,” the BBC said of Lineker, who has hosted Match of the Day since 1999 following his predecessor Des Lynam’s move to ITV.
And the ex-Tottenham, Everton, Leicester and Barcelona star couldn’t resist making a playful reference to such speculation during the latest edition of Match of the Day on Saturday night, saying at the start of the show alongside from experts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards: “Hello, seven matches in and this is my last show….”
Lineker – who is the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent – then paused before adding playfully: “Before the international break.”
