Gary Lineker addresses Match of the Day exit rumours with cheeky comment

Gary Lineker's future as host of Match of the Day remains uncertain, with the presenter's BBC contract set to expire at the end of the season

Gary Lineker cheekily addressed the rumours that Saturday night's Match of the Day could mark his departure. The BBC stalwart, earning £1.3 million annually and in the final stretch of his contract at 63 years old, has been the face of the flagship football programme since 1999, however, murmurs about him being supplanted have been surfacing. The Daily Mail reported an alleged internal BBC email alluding to preparations for a statement on Lineker's exit.

Amidst widespread conjecture about whether this would be Lineker's swansong episode, he tackled the issue directly from the start. Kicking off the programme post-titles, Lineker quipped: "Seven games on the way and it's my final show.... Before the international break."

Earlier in the week, Lineker had skated around queries regarding the particular claim. In contrast, the BBC has quashed such stories, stating Lineker is still on their payroll and clarifying that no definite decisions regarding his future have been made as yet, reports the Mirror.

A spokesperson for the corporation relayed: "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." Rumours suggest that Gary Lineker might be on thin ice with the BBC's new director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, due to discontentment with some of Lineker's opinions expressed on his popular podcast, 'The Rest is Football'.

An insider close to Lineker divulged to the Mail on Sunday: "Gary doesn't deserve this. If they are worried about how much they pay him, then they should pay him less. What's Gary supposed to do? ".

"They said he's been an exceptional host and a favourite with viewers, describing him as 'Mr Football' and affirming that the BBC has been fortunate to have him." When questioned on BBC Breakfast earlier this year about his tenure on Match of the Day, Lineker reflected: "It depends how long they want me, I suppose," he remarked. "I love doing it at the moment; I've still got another year left, at least. So we'll have to wait and see what happens."

He further acknowledged the changing landscape of football broadcasting rights but cherished his role, saying, "Obviously it's another change in football and television and the rights of the Premier League and stuff like that. All of these things will play a part. But I just feel it's been an absolute privilege to have presented it for 25 years now. I must be getting old! ".