The turmoil over Gary Lineker’s future at the BBC deepened 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 locked in a stand-off with his bosses over his £1.35m pay package, as rumors sweep the BBC that he is set to leave.
Before last night’s MoTD aired, there was growing speculation that it would be his last appearance.
The BBC refused to repudiate a draft email – revealed by the Daily Mail last week – announcing Lineker’s departure.
But in his opening comment at the start of last night’s show he played down the speculation, joking: “Hey, seven games coming up and it’s my last show… before the international break.”
Doubts about his future arise after the appointment of Alex Kay-Jelski as sporting director. He is said to be determined to “change things” and wants a younger audience.
In his opening comment at the start of last night’s show, Lineker played down the speculation, joking: “Hello, seven games coming up and it’s my last show… before the international break.”
The Match of the Day presenter is locked in a row with his bosses over his £1.35m pay package
Sources claim Kay-Jelski (pictured) is unhappy with some of the strident comments Lineker makes on his hit podcast.
Gary Lineker has hosted Match of the Day for 25 years, often alongside Alan Hansen (pictured)
Lineker, 63, was temporarily taken off the air last year after comparing the Conservatives’ immigration policy to Nazi Germany.
The former England captain, who is the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, is willing to take a pay cut of around £350,000 but talks with the corporation remain stalled.
Last night an exasperated source close to Lineker said: ‘Gary doesn’t deserve this. If they are concerned about how much they pay you, then they should pay you less. What is Gary supposed to do?
The row escalated on Friday when the Daily Mail said it had seen a draft email, purportedly from Mr Kay-Jelski, announcing that last night’s MoTD would be Lineker’s last show.
The email, which The MoS understands to be genuine, included BBC director general Tim Davie praising an “incredible” career of a “world-class presenter”.
The BBC declined to comment on the email but said it had not reached an agreement to renew Lineker’s contract, which runs until the end of the season.
Sources claimed Kay-Jelski is unhappy with some of the strident comments Lineker makes on his hit podcast, The Rest is Football.
He sparked controversy after describing England’s performances in the early stages of Euro 2024 as ‘shit’.
The podcast, and others that are part of Lineker’s Goalhanger company, have proven hugely lucrative. An analysis by The Times suggested he made more than £125,000 from the podcast in the first two weeks of the Euros alone.
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 while presenting England’s Euro Cup opening match for wearing Next brand clothing, for which he is paid.
A source close to Lineker added: “There is a lot of speculation about his future. I don’t think I can understand why.
‘He has been a great presenter, people love him. He is Mr. Football. The BBC is lucky to have told it. There is no shortage of offers. The source described Lineker as “a very loyal man.”
Of Match of the Day, which Lineker has organized for 25 years, the source added: “He has enjoyed it but doesn’t expect to be there forever.” But this is not his last show. He will decide when he leaves.
Lineker had lunch in London’s West End on Friday with former BBC presenter and rival podcast host Jon Sopel.
Asked by The MoS yesterday if it was his last show as he left his home in south-west London to film MoTD in Salford, Lineker cryptically replied: “I know better.”
Last week he told a Mail journalist who also asked him about his future to “fuck off”.
At the MediaCity studios in Salford, Lineker avoided the photographers and headed to a side entrance.
Pundit Alan Shearer was tight-lipped when asked if it was Lineker’s last show.
Lineker, who has also worked for TNT Sports, Al Jazeera and NBC, recently suggested he would have “at least another year” at MoTD, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in August.
He was also criticized while presenting England’s Euro Cup opening match for wearing Next brand clothing for which he is paid.
The BBC said: “We have nothing to announce and have not agreed the next steps in his contract.” He has a contract until the end of the season.