Gary Lineker, 64, rules out next job and explains stance on BBC salary ahead of Match of the Day exit
Gary Lineker has revealed he’s got no plans to jump ship to a rival broadcaster as the Match of the Day host prepares to depart his role.
The 64-year-old will leave the popular football show next month after a 26-year stint, having replaced Des Lynam back in 1999.
Lineker’s departure from Match of the Day was confirmed back in November, with the BBC keen to revamp things.
He will be replaced by Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates before leaving the Beeb permanently after the 2026 World Cup.
Lineker, speaking to Four Four Two, has now revealed that he doesn’t intend to work for a rival broadcaster.
“I don’t think you’ll see me doing much football, apart from the [Rest is Football] podcast,” he explained.
“I’ll do the odd thing, but I don’t think you’ll see me appearing regularly on another channel.”
In the past, Sky Sports attempted to take Lineker away from the BBC. There has also been talk of him potentially going to ITV, too.
Lineker has been the Beeb’s best-paid presenter for a number of years, with the veteran believed to take home between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999 every 12 months.
He says he’s always been ‘well paid’ but also admitted that he could have earned even more if he’d jumped ship.
“We’ve had talks with Sky at various points, but I always wanted to stick with the BBC,” he added.
“I could have earned a lot more, though I know I’ve been well paid anyway, obviously.
READ MORE: Miss Scotland stripped of title after ‘racially abusing security guard’ at rugby tournament
“I’ve had offers to go elsewhere but I just loved being with the BBC, and also how it helps everything else you do.
“It’s not only the kudos, the audience is much bigger.
“More people still watch Match of the Day than probably the biggest live game on Sundays.
“Also, I’m quite loyal. I’ve had the same guy cut my hair for 40 years, the same guy training me in the gym for 30 years, the same agent since I was 18…”
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Lionel Messi sends fans into a frenzy as Inter Miami star reveals new lookJeremy Clarkson doesn’t hold back on Lewis Hamilton amid poor Ferrari start – ‘How is that possible?’Stuart Pearce, 62, in emotional reunion with cabin crew member who helped him following health scare
Lineker now has just over a month to go before he leaves MOTD.
There are nine Premier League matches to go, with Liverpool all but assured to be champions following a sensational campaign under Arne Slot.
Lineker, as he admitted during the interview, is set to focus on his Rest is Football podcast.
The former England, Tottenham, Leicester and Barcelona star often appears on the podcast along with the likes of Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
Lineker has been a controversial figure at the BBC over the years.
He was infamously stopped from hosting MOTD in 2023, having criticised the Conservative government by comparing them to ‘1930s Germany’.
Lineker was later reinstated to his position after a huge backlash within the corporation.