Gary Lineker addresses future as Match Of The Day presenter

Gary Lineker has laughed off rumours about his future as presenter of Match Of The Day – revealing contract talks with the BBC have “just started”.

The corporation last week denied an announcement was pending regarding its highest-paid star, who is under contract until the end of the football season.

MailOnline reported it had seen an email purportedly from BBC bosses preparing to announce the 63-year-old’s departure from the broadcaster.

Lineker began Saturday’s Match Of The Day by joking it was his final one, quickly adding: “Before the international break.”

The former England striker called media speculation about his role “a strange few days”, telling The Rest Is Football podcast: “There are bigger problems in the world, that’s for sure.”

He joked his situation is like that of Liverpool players Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose deals all expire in the summer.

“I think there is one significant difference – Liverpool fans really care about those three,” he said.

“It’s been a strange few days – as you know, like Trent, Virgil and Mo, I’m coming to the end of my contract in the summer so it’s natural at some point you have to have conversations and they have just started.

“I don’t know why it all spiralled out of control. All is okay.”

Lineker revealed his co-hosts on The Rest Is Football, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, are in a “similar predicament”, to which Richards replied: “What is more concerning is I’m 4 to 1 to replace you!”

In response, Shearer joked to Richards: “That is a massive concern. I’m not signing my contract if you’re presenter.”

Lineker took over the flagship football highlights show in 1999 after his predecessor Des Lynam moved to ITV.

He has been the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent for seven consecutive years and was estimated to have earned £1.35m in the financial year 2023-24, according to the corporation’s annual report published in July.