Gary Lineker: BBC Match of the Day host to leave at end of season

Lineker, whose contract was coming to an finish, entered negotiations with the BBC’s new head of sport in October.

BBC Information understands that Lineker was open to staying on at Match of the Day, however the BBC didn’t provide him a brand new contract for the present.

Nonetheless, it is understood each events at the moment are proud of the brand new settlement.

The 63-year-old has hosted Match of the Day since 1999. He can have held the submit for 26 years when he leaves on the finish of the Premier League season in Might 2025.

Dyke was director common when Lineker first started internet hosting the soccer present in 1999, and stated dropping the presenter was “a giant loss”, however “in the long run folks watch Match of the Day for the soccer”.

Lineker informed Esquire journal in an interview printed earlier this month that he accepted he’ll “must decelerate sooner or later”.

Earlier within the 12 months, the presenter joked about hypothesis he may go away the BBC. He opened a Match of the Day broadcast by saying it was his “last present”. After a pause, he added “earlier than the worldwide break”.

Dyke additionally stated the BBC is “in difficulties financially”, referring to current job cuts being made as a part of wider BBC efforts to avoid wasting £700m a 12 months, including that dropping Lineker “could be a saving on a sports activities finances, which you possibly can use elsewhere”.

He didn’t speculate on whether or not Lineker had been “supplied a brand new contract or not”, or as as to if the current controversy over the presenter’s social media use was related along with his departure.

“Whether or not that is something to do with that I do not know. It is one of many few instances I’ve disagreed with the BBC since I left.

“I assumed that he was a sports activities presenter, and subsequently what he was saying about politics was irrelevant to his efficiency as as a presenter.

“Nevertheless it’s there within the background. So it will need to have been a thought within the thoughts of of whoever took the choice.”