Gary Lineker will depart Match of the Day on the finish of the season, it’s broadly reported, with a full exit from the BBC set for after the 2026 World Cup round 20 months from now.
The previous Tottenham, Everton, Leicester and Barcelona striker has been the main face on the highlights present since 1999.
Whereas the BBC press workplace has not but confirmed the state of affairs, BBC Information reported that the broader BBC organisation is anticipated to formally announce the information on Tuesday.
Lineker joked about his future lately on the programme amid hypothesis surrounding his contract discussions with the BBC over an extension, whereas acknowledging his different enterprise pursuits would imply one thing wanted to offer ultimately.
The 63-year-old, who received 80 England caps throughout his taking part in days, was suspended for airing political opinions in 2023 earlier than a clarification was made relating to the organisation’s social media coverage. His declared wage of greater than £1.3m per 12 months has additionally been the topic of a lot dialogue.
Whereas Lineker claimed he was technically a freelancer on the time, the BBC argued its tips on applicable feedback and impartiality utilized to him as he had a big platform, was related to the organisation and had a accountability to uphold that impartiality.
The broadcaster had tweeted a extremely essential opinion of the federal government’s asylum coverage, which he mentioned was “immeasurably merciless”. He had additionally beforehand aired different unfavorable views on the Conservatives.
In an interview with The Unbiased earlier this 12 months, Lineker advised he was eager to remain on past his present deal presenting Match of the Day, having taken over duties from Des Lynam 1 / 4 of a century in the past.
“Match of the Day is such an iconic present, 60 years is such a very long time and I’ve introduced it for 25 of these years,” he mentioned.
“Podcast-wise, issues have actually exceeded our expectations however on the similar time, I like being a part of Match of the Day, I like working for the BBC, I do know it has its points and it has its troubles however I feel it’s sensible. I feel typically we don’t shout about how good we’re on the BBC and what we provide.”
Lineker beforehand said he had obtained threats after sharing a put up by the Palestinian Marketing campaign for the Educational and Cultural Boycott of Israel, which referred to as for Israel to face a ban from worldwide sporting occasions.
He memorably introduced one episode in his underwear following Leicester Metropolis’s Premier League triumph, having misplaced a guess the earlier marketing campaign that they might fall away.
Nonetheless, it seems his closing weekend presenting the present will now come on the end result of the 2024-25 season, with that date set for Sunday 25 Might.
