Will Gary Lineker continue to host Match of the Day? BBC release statement after email leaked

Gary Lineker has presented the BBC's Match of the Day for more than 20 years but his future on the show is in doubt after an email from the corporation was leaked

Gary Lineker's continuing role as the host of Match of the Day has come under scrutiny amidst rumours of an early exit, following a leaked internal BBC email.

Having been at the helm of the celebrated football show since 1999, Lineker's contract is set to lapse following the end of the 2024/25 season. However, speculation abounds that Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC's director of sport, may be plotting his departure ahead of schedule.

The Daily Mail reported sighting an internal BBC communique hinting at the broadcaster drafting a statement to declare his leave.

Responding to the Daily Mail's enquiry, a BBC spokesperson 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."

Lineker himself chose to abstain from comment when the same publication approached him at his residence, reports the Mirror.

Earlier this year, Lineker spoke about his Match of the Day tenure, expressing uncertainty over its length during his appearance on BBC Breakfast: "I don't... I don't know! " he admitted when asked.

"It depends how long they want me, I suppose. I love doing it at the moment; I've still got another year left, at least. So we'll have to wait and see what happens. Obviously it's another change in football and television and the rights of the Premier League and stuff like that."

"All of these things will play a part. But I just feel it's been an absolute privilege to have presented it for 25 years now. I must be getting old! ".

Lineker, who earns a staggering £1.35million per year, is the top earner at the BBC. Reports from September hinted that Lineker was in discussions with the corporation about continuing his role, albeit with a reduced annual salary of £1m.

Match of the Day recently marked its 60th anniversary, and there are whispers that the BBC is keen to give it a fresh look to appeal to a younger demographic. Last year, Lineker, 63, found himself in the middle of a massive controversy over free speech after he criticised the government's asylum policy on social media.

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He made a comeback to the BBC after they backtracked on their policy following a series of walk-outs by many of Lineker's colleagues.

Kay-Jelski, who joined the BBC from the Athletic in April, has already had to make one significant decision, dismissing Jermaine Jenas from his role as a pundit on Match of the Day due to allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.

While Lineker has worked for other broadcasters and hosts his own podcast with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, he explained to BBC Breakfast why MOTD holds such a unique place in his heart.

"It's been a part of my life, a big part of my life right from the start," he said. "I watched it as a kid, it was the one night my dad would let me stay up to watch Match of the Day."