Gary Lineker clarifies Match of the Day future after exit 'leaked' and 'final show' remark

The BBC reportedly drafted an email confirming Gary Lineker's departure from Match of the Day after 25 years, with the former England striker's contract due to expire next spring

Gary Lineker has addressed the bubbling speculation surrounding his future as host of Match of the Day after the BBC reportedly drafted an email confirming his departure.

Former England striker Lineker has presented MOTD since 1999 but his current £1.35million contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 Premier League season in May. Lineker, 63, quipped at the beginning of Saturday's programme that it was his 'final show... before the international break.

Now, appearing on his The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker has opened up on his situation. "It's been a strange few days," he admitted. "As you know, like [Liverpool players] 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 okay."

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