Gary Lineker outlines future plans for Match of the Day and says 'things change'

07 February 2024 , 16:22

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Gary Lineker has given little away in regards to his future with Match of the Day (Image: Getty Images)

Gary Lineker has admitted that he "doesn't know" whether or not he will continue in his role as Match of the Day host beyond his current contract.

The former Tottenham and England striker, 63, has become one of football's most recognisable pundits since having up his boots and has fronted the BBC's football highlights show since succeeding Des Lynam back in 1999.

Lineker, who was paid around £1.3million by the corporation last year, was taken off the air back in March after breaching impartiality guidelines but was promptly reinstated after several of his colleagues refused to appear in solidarity with him.

His current contract has just under two years left to run - and Lineker gave nothing away when he was quizzed on whether or not he would remain in his post beyond that.

Upon being asked about his Match of the Day future, Lineker said: "I don't know. I've still got almost two years left on my contract. So it's too early to contemplate that at the moment.

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"But I mean I love doing Match of the Day, but, you know, obviously what happens with... football rights and things like that, will determine things and you know, things change."

He added: "I've had an amazing life. I love working for the BBC. It's been great. I've worked for them now for almost 30 years. And in that time we had one little fallout and that's it and it was quickly overcome."

Join the debate! Would you like to see Lineker continue in his role as MOTD host? Let us know here.

Lineker has fronted the BBC's football highlights show since 1999 (BBC)

It was announced back in December that the BBC would retain the rights to highlights of the Premier League for a further four years. That agreement runs until the end of the 2028/29 season.

It was claimed at the time that several of the BBC's rivals, including ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, all declined to bid for the next set of rights.

Away from television, Lineker has enjoyed success as the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, which currently boasts 11 different shows, including the highly popular 'The Rest Is...' franchise, which features Match of the Day regulars Alan Shearer and Micah Richards on the football offering.

Shows under the Goalhanger Podcasts umbrella, which also include 'The Rest Is Politics' and 'The Rest Is Entertainment', amassed a combined 28 million downloads last month.

Dan Marsh