Gary Lineker breaks silence on 'leaked' BBC email as he quips about Match of the Day future

Gary Lineker has addressed the 'leaked' BBC email that claimed he is set to leave the broadcaster at the end of the current Premier League season

Gary Lineker has set the record straight about his negotiations to continue with Match of the Day after rumours swirled about his leaving due to a reported BBC email leak. Since taking the presenter role in 1999, Lineker's iconic tenure on MOTD could be approaching its end as his current £1.35 million contract concludes with the 2024-25 Premier League season finishing in May.

Lineker, aged 63, playfully mentioned at the start of Saturday's show that it was his 'final show... before the international break'. On his podcast, The Rest is Football, he has discussed the recent speculation.

"It's been a strange few days," he revealed. "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."

He added that discussions have just begun and was puzzled why the situation blew up: "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."

His comments come amidst reports by the Daily Mail that an email crafted by new director of sport Alex Jay-Kelski had been circulated, prematurely announcing Lineker's departure, reports the Mirror.

Tim Davie, the BBC's director general, reportedly commended Lineker's 'incredible' career, describing him as a 'world class presenter'.

Gary Lineker playfully hinted at his contract talks with the BBC, jesting "Seven matches on the way and it's my final show... before the international break," on Match of the Day, paired seamlessly with a cheeky grin.

Amidst reports suggesting Lineker would accept a £350,000 salary reduction to prolong his tenure, the BBC maintains ambiguity about their intentions, stating: "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."

Furthermore, Lineker has previously reflected on his career during BBC breakfast, saying: "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."

He added contemplation on industry changes, remarking: "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! "

BBC bosses are reportedly eyeing up Mark Chapman as the successor to Gary Lineker on Match of the Day. Chapman, 50, is no stranger to the role, having presented Match of the Day 2 on Sundays since 2013.

He's also a familiar voice on Radio 5 Live and was recently unveiled as the host of the BBC's new Champions League highlights show.