Gary Lineker opens up on Match of the Day contract situation

Gary Lineker has opened up on his contract situation at the BBC after rumours suggested that his time as host of Match of the Day was coming to an end.

Last week, MailOnline revealed that Lineker's future at the show could be in doubt after seeing an email that appeared to show that a statement was being prepared for his departure.

However, after hosting the show as per usual on Saturday, Lineker revealed that conversations about his future on the football programme 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], I am coming to the end of my contract in the summer.

'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 OK.'

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It is understood that Lineker is locked in a stand-off with his bosses over his £1.35million pay package as negotiations continue between the presenter and the BBC.

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It has been reported that the former England captain is willing to accept a pay cut of roughly £350,000 in order to stay in the hot seat.

Rumours began to circulate about a proposed departure when the draft email, supposedly written by new BBC director of sport Alex Jay-Kelski, seemed to indicate that Saturday night's Match of the Day would be Lineker's last.

However, the 63-year-old presenter seemed in high spirits when the cameras started rolling and even opened the show with a joke about his future.

'Seven matches on the way and it's my final show... before the international break,' said Lineker with a smile.

While the authenticity of the email seen by MailOnline is impossible to verify, the BBC have not disowned it.

When approached for comment, they said: 'We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is on contract until the end of the season.'

Following an intense few days of speculation, Lineker decided to address the situation on his podcast, The Rest Is Football, with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. 

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The trio joked about the situation before Lineker revealed that both Shearer and Richards are also locked in contract discussions. 

'I believe you two are in a similar predicament,' said Lineker.

The pair of pundits brushed off the comment before Richards joked about the possibility of replacing Lineker as host of the flagship show.

'What's more concerning is that I am four to one to replace you,' quipped Richards, before they all started laughing.

In response, Shearer said: 'That is a f***ing massive concern by the way.' Before Lineker replied: 'I would love to see you take over Micah, I think you'd be brilliant in the chair.'

The hit podcast is believed to have upset BBC boss Alex Kay-Jelski, due to the nature of the language used by Lineker on the show, sources have claimed.

Meanwhile, another source close to the presenter as stated that Lineker 'will decide when he leaves'.

The source continued: 'Gary doesn't deserve this. If they are worried about how much they pay him, then they should pay him less. What's Gary supposed to do?

'He's been a great presenter, people love him. He's Mr Football. The BBC are lucky to have had him. He's not short of offers.' The source described Lineker as 'a very loyal man'.