Gary will decide when he leaves the BBC – he doesn’t deserve this! After rumours that last night’s show would be his final Match of the Day, comments from source close to Lineker suggest all is not well
Unrest over Gary Lineker’s future at the BBC intensified last night after defiant sources close to the presenter declared: ‘He will decide when he leaves.’
The Mail on Sunday understands the Match of the Day presenter is at a standoff with bosses over his £1.35million pay package, with rumors swirling at the BBC that he is set to quit.
Before last night’s MoTD aired, there was mounting speculation that this would be his final appearance. The BBC refused to ignore a draft email – revealed last week by the Ny Breaking – announcing Lineker’s departure.
Questions about his future follow the recent appointment of Alex Kay-Jelski as sporting director. He is said to be determined to ‘shake things up’ and wants MoTD to attract a younger audience.
Lineker, 63, was temporarily taken off air last year after comparing the Tories’ immigration policy to Nazi Germany. The former England captain, the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, is reportedly willing to take a pay cut of around £350,000 but talks with the company remain at a standstill.
The Match of the Day presenter is locked in a standoff with bosses over his £1.35million pay package
Sources claim Mr Kay-Jelski (pictured) is unhappy with some of the strident comments Lineker makes on his popular podcast
Gary Lineker has been hosting Match of The Day for 25 years, often alongside Alan Hansen (pictured)
Last night an irritated source close to Lineker said: ‘Gary doesn’t deserve this. If they’re worried about how much they’re paying him, they should pay him less. What should Gary do?’
The row escalated on Friday when the Ny Breaking revealed it had seen a draft email, claiming to be from Mr Kay-Jelski, announcing last night’s MoTD would be Lineker’s final show.
The email, which the MoS understands to be genuine, featured BBC Director General Tim Davie praising an “incredible” career of a “world-class presenter”.
The BBC declined to comment on the email but admitted no agreement had been reached to extend Lineker’s contract, which runs until the end of the season.
Sources claimed that Mr Kay-Jelski is unhappy with some of the strident comments Lineker makes on his popular podcast, The Rest is Football. He sparked controversy this summer after describing England’s performance in the early stages of Euro 2024 as ‘s***’. The podcast, and others that are part of Lineker’s company Goalhanger, have proven hugely lucrative. An analysis by The Times suggested he earned more than £125,000 from the podcast in the first two weeks of the Euro alone.
The source close to Lineker added: ‘There is a lot of speculation about his future. I don’t think he understands why.
‘He’s a great presenter, people love him. He is Mr. Football. The BBC are lucky to have him. He has no shortage of offers.” The source described Lineker as “a very loyal man.”
Speaking about Match of The Day, which Lineker has hosted for 25 years, often alongside Alan Hansen, the source added: ‘He’s enjoyed it but doesn’t expect him to stay there forever.
‘But this isn’t his last show. He will decide when to leave.’ Lineker had lunch in London’s West End on Friday with former BBC presenter and rival podcast host Jon Sopel.
Lineker, who has also worked for TNT Sports, Al Jazeera and NBC, recently suggested he would have ‘at least another year’ at MoTD
Lineker was also criticized when presenting the opening match of the European Championship in England for wearing clothing from the brand Next for which he is paid
When asked by The MoS yesterday whether it was his last show as he left his home in south-west London to film MoTD in Salford, Lineker replied cryptically: ‘Be better.’
Last week he told a Mail reporter who also asked about his future to ‘fuck off’.
At MediaCity studios in Salford, Lineker avoided photographers and went to a side entrance. Pundit Alan Shearer was gritted his teeth when asked if this was Lineker’s last show.
Lineker, who has also worked for TNT Sports, Al Jazeera and NBC, recently suggested he would remain at MoTD for ‘at least another year’.
He was also criticized when he presented the opening match of the European Championship in England because he wore clothing from the brand Next for which he is paid.
The BBC said: ‘We have not yet agreed on the next steps in his contract. He is under contract until the end of the season.’