Gary Lineker has spoken out about his contract situation at the BBC after rumors suggested his time as Match of the Day presenter was coming to an end.
Last week, MailOnline revealed that Lineker’s future on the show could be in doubt after seeing an email that appeared to show a statement for his departure was being prepared.
However, after hosting the show as usual on Saturday, Lineker revealed that conversations about his future with the football program are ongoing.
“It’s been a strange few days,” he said on The Rest Is Football podcast. “As you know, like (Liverpool stars) Trent (Alexander-Arnold), like Virgil (Van Dijk), like Mo (Salah), my contract will end in the summer.
‘It’s natural that at some point you have to have conversations and they’ve only just started. I don’t know why everything got out of control, but everything is fine.’
MailOnline revealed how an email had cast doubt on the future of Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day
Lineker is understood to be locked in a stand-off with his bosses over his £1.35m pay package as negotiations between the host and his bosses continue.
The former England captain is reportedly willing to take a pay cut of around £350,000 to remain on the bench.
Rumors began to circulate about a proposed exit when the draft email, supposedly written by new BBC sporting director Alex Jay-Kelski, appeared to indicate that Saturday night’s Match of the Day would be Lineker’s last. .
However, the presenter seemed in great spirits when the cameras started rolling and even opened the show with a joke about his future.
“There are seven games left and it’s my last show… before the international break,” Lineker said with a smile.
While it is impossible to verify the authenticity of the email seen by MailOnline, the BBC has not repudiated it.
When approached for comment, the BBC said: “We have nothing to announce and have not agreed the next steps regarding his contract.” He has a contract until the end of the season.
More to follow.