October 7th 2024.
It seems like Gary Lineker's time as the host of Match of the Day may be coming to an end. After 25 years of hosting the beloved football highlights show, the 63-year-old has revealed that discussions have started about the possibility of extending his contract with the BBC. His current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, but there were recent reports that suggested Saturday's episode could be his last.
During Saturday's show, Lineker couldn't resist poking fun at these rumors as he opened with, "Hello, seven games on the way and it's my final show...before the international break." His colleague Alan Shearer, who was a guest on the show, jokingly asked for an update on his contract situation, comparing it to the contracts of Liverpool players Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all of which are also due to expire next summer.
Lineker replied with a hint of humor, "I think there is one significant difference - the Liverpool fans really care about those things. It's been a strange few days, as you know, like Trent, like Virgil, like Mo, I'm coming to the end of my contract in the summer so it's natural at some point that you have to have conversations and they've just started."
As the BBC's highest-earning presenter with a deal worth £1.35 million, it's no surprise that Lineker's contract negotiations have caused a stir. But he assured everyone that everything is under control, saying, "I don't know why it all spiraled out of control but all is okay. But you're [Shearer and Richards] in a similar predicament you two as well."
His fellow pundits, Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, couldn't resist teasing Lineker about the situation. Richards joked about the odds of him replacing Lineker as the host, to which Lineker responded with a compliment, "Blimey, I'd love to see you take over, Micah. I think you'd be brilliant in the chair." Richards quickly shut down the idea, claiming he wouldn't be able to do it.
Shearer then jokingly threatened not to sign his new contract if Richards became the host, to which Richards laughed and replied, "I'd be telling them to get rid of you! Fresh blood!" Lineker then playfully teased Richards about his eyesight, saying, "I told them with your eyesight you could never read an autocue." The banter continued as they all laughed and joked about the possibility of Lineker's replacement.
All in all, it seems like Lineker's time as the host of Match of the Day may not be over just yet. With talks of contract extensions underway, fans can rest assured that they will continue to see Lineker's witty banter and expert analysis on their screens for a while longer.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
