Gary Lineker’s time with the BBC could be drawing to a close, according to reports.
The 63-year-old has presented Match of the Day ever since 1999 but, as things stand, is set to leave the broadcaster next year.
Lineker’s contract is due to expire in 2025 and while he’s open to taking a pay cut in order to stay, the situation remains unclear.
Recently, reports swirled that the Beeb had drafted up an email to staff announcing Lineker’s departure. The BBC presenter, when quizzed, swore at a reporter – while the broadcaster merely responded by retierating that his current deal will run out next year.
Gary Lineker’s time with the BBC could be drawing to a close
PA
Now, according to the Daily Mail, the BBC’s sports chief Alex Kay-Jelski is ‘backing moves’ to end Lineker’s tenure.
It’s claimed he wants to ‘freshen up’ Match of the Day by bringing in a new host.
He is also said to think that Lineker’s name ‘does not carry as much weight as it once did’ as MOTD continues to battle to keep up with the numerous other football shows on offer.
Kay-Jelski has reportedly been dubbed the ‘hatchet man’, such is his ruthless approach.
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An insider is quoted as saying: “Lineker’s job is very much under threat.
“He’s fronted Match of the Day for over 25 years, so the show is due a change, and Kay-Jelski is the man ruthless enough to trigger one.
“His brutal axing of [Jermaine] Jenas shows he’s not afraid to make big decisions and he has no qualms about potentially upsetting Lineker.
“There’s a feeling within Match of the Day a new era is ready to kick in and Lineker will be the biggest casualty.”
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Kay-Jelski is said to be frustrated by how outspoken Lineker can be on his Rest is Football podcast.
The former England star was critical of the Three Lions back in the summer as they made the final of the European Championships.
He even dubbed one display as ‘s**t’, something that raised eyebrows within the BBC.
Just months ago, Jermaine Jenas was widely seen as the frontrunner to take over from Lineker on Match of the Day.
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Yet the former Premier League star was axed by the BBC after sending inappropriate messages to female members of staff.
It has previously been claimed that Lineker sounded out ITV about potentially crossing the divide.
However, the response he received was that they weren’t interested in snapping him up – despite his obvious appeal.
Lineker was also intriguingly overlooked when it comes to the BBC’s Champions League highlights show, which is new for the season.
Gary Lineker is out of contract at the end of the season with his future with the BBC shrouded in uncertainty
PA
He was reportedly reluctant to travel regularly from London to Salford.
And whether Lineker stays or goes remains to be seen, with the clock seemingly starting to tick down towards a parting of the ways.
