Gary Lineker could be set for his final appearance as Match of the Day host on Saturday following a BBC email leak, according to reports.
The sports broadcaster and former professional footballer has been hosting the iconic BBC show for 25 years but there are rumours it’s all coming to an end.
Lineker is currently the highest-paid presenter on the BBC – earning a yearly salary of £1,350,000 – but his contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
The Daily Mail report they’ve seen emails suggesting Saturday will be Lineker’s final appearance, despite the fact he’s still under contract for over six months.
One of the secret emails is thought to have included a statement from BBC director general Tim Davie, which paid tribute to ‘world-class presenter’ Lineker.
The BBC did not confirm if the email was genuine or not but a spokesperson said: ‘We have nothing to announce and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is under contract until the end of the season.’
The 63-year-old, who played for Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham before his retirement as a footballer, has previously clashed with BBC bosses.
Lineker was required to step back from presenting on the BBC for three days in March 2023 after he openly criticised the government’s immigration policy.
His social media post compared the ’s migrant boat policy to Nazi Germany, sparking both widespread praise and criticism.
Lineker was eventually allowed to return, although he not been involved in the BBC’s new Champions League highlights show.
Meanwhile, it was reported last month that Lineker had volunteered to take a £350,000 cut on his current contract to stay on as host of Match of the Day.
That would see his yearly salary decrease from £1,350,000 to £1,000,000 if the BBC agreed to the pay cut.
Speaking in April 2023, though, Lineker raised doubts over his future on Match of the Day and said: ‘I’m ancient, my time is nearly up.’