Match of the Day could be set for some major changes if Gary Lineker decides to part ways with the show.
The iconic programme has been synonymous with Lineker, who has become the face of the show for a quarter of a century, devoting most of his punditry career to the BBC. Earlier this month, whispers started swirling that Lineker’s longstanding position might be in jeopardy. As Lineker’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season, football fans and media pundits alike have been left guessing if he’ll be gracing our screens for the 2025/26 season. The rumour mills went into overdrive after an alleged email from director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski discussing Lineker’s departure surfaced.
The Beeb, however, was quick off the mark to quash these rumours, insisting they had no intention of saying goodbye to Lineker just yet. They were adamant in their response: “We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed on the next steps regarding his contract. He is on contract until the end of the season.”
But what if Lineker decided to hang up his presenting boots, potentially followed by his co-host Alan Shearer? Who would the BBC draft in to headline the popular Saturday evening football highlights? Here is how the dramatic events could shake out.
Gary Lineker leaves the BBC
Gary Lineker, the BBC’s top-paid talent with an eye-watering £1.35million salary for his presenting duties, is reportedly prepared to take a pay cut to continue his long-standing commitment to the Beeb beyond the current Premier League season as his contract nears its end. Last month, a source divulged to The Sun: “Gary is hugely popular with both fans and players alike. The sense is that, with so much uncertainty and scandal at the BBC right now, viewers are crying out for a safe pair of hands. Gary has long maintained that the BBC provides excellent value for money – and has quite literally put his money where his mouth is and offered to take a substantial pay cut.”
Conversely, on his own podcast, The Rest Is Football, Lineker shed some light on his situation by saying: “It’s been a strange few days. As you know, like Trent [Alexander-Arnold], like Virgil [van Dijk], like Mo [Salah], I am coming to the end of my contract in the summer.”
He continued, highlighting the progression of talks with the BBC: “It’s natural at some point that you have to have conversations, and they’ve just started. I don’t know why it all spiralled out of control, but all is okay.”
As Lineker is set to enter contract talks with the BBC this month, what happens if the presenter fails to secure a deal?
Despite his current role providing him with substantial wealth, Lineker’s football and punditry career, along with lucrative brand deals with companies like Walkers, have undoubtedly set him up for life.
With an estimated net worth in the region of £30million, Lineker could easily kick back and enjoy retirement if he decides to part ways with the BBC. However, at 63, the pundit still has plenty of years left in him and would likely find work elsewhere immediately.
If Lineker chooses to leave, the BBC would face the daunting task of finding someone capable of filling his enormous shoes. While many names have been mentioned in recent discussions, it could be argued that none can match Lineker and his impressive achievements.
Mark Chapman, the presenter of Match of the Day 2, could potentially step up to the main programme, while former England and Arsenal defender Alex Scott might also consider becoming a permanent fixture on the show. Other potential replacements for Lineker include Gabby Logan, Jason Mohammad, Kelly Sommers, and even Theo Walcott.
What could be more challenging than replacing Lineker on Match of the Day?
Replacing both Lineker and Shearer, naturally. The pair have had a successful punditry career together over the years, and their on-screen chemistry is undoubtedly a result of their long-standing friendship.
If Lineker were to exit the show, who’s to say Shearer wouldn’t follow suit?
Especially given that the Newcastle United heavyweight has backed his mate and co-star in previous tiffs. Lineker himself got benched for a bit after his social media swipe at the Conservative Government’s immigration rhetoric which he compared with 1930s Germany led the Beeb to rule he’d overstepped the mark on political neutrality last March.
That stint on the sidelines was brief but sent shockwaves through the BBC Match of the Day got trimmed back to a bare-bones 20-minutes, sans the usual punditry or studio banter, as both Shearer and Ian Wright backed Lineker, standing down in “solidarity” and refusing to feature without their chief anchor.
Now, if both Lineker and Shearer decided to chuck it in, the BBC might find itself in a mad scramble for replacements. And what are the odds they could fill the boots of this legendary duoa pair that has won football fans’ hearts with their savvy insight, nifty analysis, charm, and sharp humour?