Gary Lineker pokes fun at rumours over his Match of the Day future with cheeky opening to Saturday’s show amid suggestions his time on flagship BBC programme could be ending
Gary Lineker has brazenly fooled Match of the Day fans in his opening monologue as rumors continue to swirl that this will be his final appearance on the BBC’s flagship football show.
The presenter was previously spotted boarding the train ahead of tonight’s programme, which featured highlights of hard-fought wins for title contenders Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as Brentford’s 5-3 victory over Wolves.
This week, MailOnline revealed how an email has been circulating which appeared to suggest bosses are preparing a statement to be released announcing his departure after 25 years on the show.
And tonight Lineker poked fun at mounting speculation about his future with a bold opening from the much-loved programme.
He said: ‘Seven games in and it’s my last show…before the international break.’
Gary Lineker has brutally fooled Match of the Day fans in his opening monologue
MailOnline revealed how an email was circulated appearing to suggest bosses prepare a release statement announcing his departure
Lineker was suspended for three days from Match of the Day after posting a series of anti-Tory tweets in March 2023, but later returned
The message appears to come from the broadcaster’s sporting director, Alex Kay-Jelski, and includes a statement announcing that the former England striker has withdrawn from presenting the iconic show.
It has not been possible to verify the authenticity of the email and the BBC insists he remains under contract until the end of the season.
When MailOnline contacted the BBC we were told: ‘We have nothing to announce and we have not yet agreed the next steps regarding his contract. He has a contract until the end of the season.’
It comes after boxing promoter Frank Warren denounced Lineker’s views on immigration in a tirade.
The presenter was banned from Match of the Day for three days after posting a series of anti-Tory tweets on March 7, 2023.
The former England football captain called the government’s crackdown on migrants “immeasurably cruel” and compared it to Nazi Germany, which critics said breached the Beeb’s strict impartiality rules.
Lineker, the BBC’s highest-paid star with an income of £1.35 million a year, later returned to his role after colleagues boycotted the flagship show in his honour.
Warren, 72, has now criticized Lineker’s decision to openly criticize the policy, insisting that ‘the floodgates have opened’.
The Londoner told the Telegraph: ‘I don’t think you should be ashamed of being British.
“But if you’re a white person over fifty, you’re treated like an outsider, like you don’t matter.”
When asked if he feels like an outsider, Warren replied, “Not particularly. I’m lucky. I’m in a business where people want free tickets.
“But I see the problem elsewhere, and I don’t think it’s right.
‘I disagreed with Gary Lineker last year when he posted that tweet about the Conservatives’ asylum policy, saying it was similar to 1930s Germany.
Warren, 72, has criticized the host’s decision to publicly criticize the policy
Lineker has been the subject of speculation about his future at the BBC for months
“Seriously, what the fuck are you talking about? Nazi Germany? We let people in and don’t take their property.
‘We are a hospitable country. But we must welcome legal immigrants and let them go through the process.
‘This illegal dimension changes the dynamics around schools, homes and hospitals. It’s totally unacceptable.’