Gary Lineker delves into Match of the Day future with Alan Shearer’s contract expiring too

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have all seen their Match of the Day futures come under the microscope in the past week following a BBC email leak

Newcastle icon Alan Shearer has helped Match of the Day host Gary Lineker find humour amid the chaos concerning his BBC future.

And it's been revealed both Shearer and Micah Richards are also facing uncertain futures on Match of the Day. Rumours have been swirling about Lineker's position after an alleged email leak suggested this could well be his final season on the show, prompting the BBC to issue a statement asserting no decision has yet been made.

Despite the current tensions, the popular football trio have found a way to lighten the mood. That's after Shearer compared the recent turmoil to the situation of Anfield, where three Liverpool favourites have also entered the final months of their own deals.

READ MORE: Match of the Day's Gary Lineker four word 'parting shot' to viewers after BBC exit claims

READ MORE: Gary Lineker makes light-hearted Match of the Day host claim amid BBC exit rumours

"We're alright. More importantly, how are you? Me and Micah have been worried about you the last few days," said Newcastle great Shearer to Lineker on The Rest Is Football podcast (via the Daily Star). "What's been going on? Can you tell us anything about your contract? It's like you, [Mohamed] Salah, [Virgil] van Dijk and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] are all coming to the ends of your contracts - what's going on? Inform us, please!"

Arne Slot will be eager to tie down the services of three of his most valued players, who could all depart Anfield for nothing in 2025. With the sound of Richards laughing in the background, Lineker responded: "I think there is one significant difference - the Liverpool fans really care about those three!

"It's been a strange few days. As you know, like Trent, like Virgil, like Mo, I'm coming to the end of my contract in the summer, so it's natural at some point you have conversations, and they've just started. I don't know why it all spiralled out of control, but all is okay."

Leicester icon Lineker then hinted that Shearer and Richards could find themselves in a "similar predicament," suggesting they might be focused on next. However, Richards, former Man City star, had another worry he found more pressing as he said: "What's more concerning, I'm 4/1 to replace ya!"

Shearer chuckled in response and commented: "That is a f*****g massive concern by the way!" Lineker was more supportive by comparison and Richards he thought he'd be "brilliant in the chair," but Shearer joked he wouldn't be coming back if Richards were appointed successor.

Lineker also found some levity opening Saturday's Match of the Day at a point when the news was still fresh. Only to aware of the public's prying eyes, he started off by saying: "Seven games on the way, and it's my final show. . .before the international break."

The presenter has managed to find some humour in the situation now, but his mood was far from buoyant when a Daily Mail journalist pressed him for comment outside his home last week. Confronted at his Barnes residence, he quickly dismissed the reporter with a blunt: "'F*** off, I won't talk to you. Go away."

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