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.’
MailOnline revealed how an email had thrusted Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day future in doubt
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 host and his bosses.
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 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, the BBC 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.’
More to follow.
