Gary Lineker to leave Match Of The Day

Gary Lineker is to leave Match Of The Day after 25 years, Sky News understands.

The former England striker will step down at the end of the current football season.

It is understood he will stay at the BBC until the end of the next World Cup which is being held in the US, Mexico and Canada in 2026.

Lineker has hosted the Premier League highlights show since 1999, after his predecessor Des Lynam moved to ITV.

But the 63-year-old may stay on at the BBC after 2026 working on podcasts.

The presenter is the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, which producers popular shows The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics and The Rest Is Entertainment.

Lineker presents his own footballing podcast with the company alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

He was briefly removed from Match Of The Day in March 2023 following controversy over comments he made on social media criticising the then Conservative government's asylum policies.

The row prompted the BBC to launch an independent review of its social media guidelines and Lineker returned to screens soon after.

Lineker has been the broadcaster's highest-paid star in recent years for his work on shows including Match Of The Day and Sports Personality Of The Year.

He received around £1.35m during the 2023-24 financial year, according to the BBC's most recent figures.

The BBC has said it is not commenting on the matter.

It is unclear who will take over from Lineker on Match Of The Day. Former Tottenham Hotspur footballer Jermaine Jenas was considered to be his natural successor but he was sacked from the BBC in August over claims of inappropriate behaviour.

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