Gary Lineker has further rubbished claims that he is imminently leaving Match of the Day by saying his BBC contract talks have just begun.
Reports last week threw the 63-year-old’s future into doubt by claiming to reveal a leaked email from BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski outlining the plan for Lineker’s departure after last Saturday’s show.
The former England and Leicester striker is in the final year of his contract with Match of the Day, where he is currently paid £1.35m per year.
And on Saturday evening’s broadcast, he joked that: “This is my final show… before the international break”.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast to Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker said: “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. It’s natural at some point that you have to have conversations and they’ve just started.
“I don’t know why it all spiralled out of control, but all is OK. I believe you’re in a similar predicament, you too as well. Perhaps you’ll have the Daily Mail on your doorstep tomorrow.
“Now that they know that. I’m more concerned actually about my cold. I started feeling not very well on the way home last night. Terrible throat and phlegmy and yuck.”
Lineker is expected to be offered a contract around £1m annually, significantly below his current deal, and many believe time is ripe for a change after 25 years on the show.
The veteran presenter also founded and owns Goalhanger Podcasts, one of the largest podcasting groups in the UK, which includes the hugely successful “The Rest is…” collection.
There is uncertainty over who could replace Lineker, especially after Jermaine Jenas’s sacking earlier this year for inappropriate behaviour.
Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan are among the favourites for the hotseat if these contract talks were to stall, while Richards joked that he was also considered among the contenders.
“What’s more concerning is I’m 4-1 to replace you”: the former Manchester City defender said.
“That is a f—ing massive concern by the way,” said Shearer. “I’m not signing my new contract if you’re a presenter by the way.”
But Lineker continued: “4-1? I’d love to see you take over, Micah. I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.
“You’ll have some power then, Micah.
“I told them, even with your eyesight, you could have a read of an autocue.”
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