GARY LINEKER’S decision to quit Match of the Day has sent speculation soaring over his next career move.
The BBC’s best-paid presenter, 63, has fronted British football’s most famous highlights show for 25 years.
Lineker will step down as Match of the Day presenter at the end of the campaign, although he will front the BBC’s FA Cup coverage next season before hosting at the World Cup and then stepping down.
He will take a pay cut and could focus on his interests outside of the BBC, namely his Goalhanger podcasting business which is proving to be a hit.
A BBC source told The Sun: “Gary absolutely adores Match of the Day, and has been incredibly happy at the BBC.
“He wants to leave on a high – and if England win the World Cup, it doesn’t get much higher.
“It’s one of the industry’s worst kept secrets that the new BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski and Gary aren’t exactly close. The former is very keen to make his mark by bringing in new faces, and slashing wage bills.
“Gary is incredibly popular with both players and viewers, and news of his departure will send shockwaves around the Corporation. In other words, no-one is immune from change.
“Gary will be 65 when he leaves; frankly, he isn’t getting younger and just feels the time is right to focus solely on his mogul interests outside the BBC – namely his Goalhanger podcasting business which is becoming huge Stateside.”
However there are plenty of possible options for the England legend to pursue as his wry, relaxed manner has won millions of admirers.
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But his willingness to speak out on controversial matters in recent years has divided opinion.
All that, however, only makes Lineker even more marketable – in broadcasting and beyond.
The former Barcelona striker has also hinted at new interests, such as cooking.
So what’s the £1.35million-a-year broadcaster got next in his pot?
Here we look at four potential options – with offers sure to flood in.
POLITICS
Lineker has insisted he speaks out on “humanitarian issues” rather than making party-political comments.
But he frequently irked the previous Conservative Government with several cutting social media posts.
And he might appreciate the freedom to have a voice completely free from BBC guidelines for presenters.
Lineker has often stirred national debate, most notably in March 2023 with comments on the UK’s asylum policy – a row which even forced a re-think of Beeb rules.
He was briefly taken off air at the time, with fellow BBC commentators backing him by refusing to work.
The corporation insist Lineker is “free to contribute to projects for third parties, as long as these do not conflict with his BBC commitments”.
But with the ex-Tottenham ace determined to use his large following “as a power for good,” is he ready to become a new type of frontman?
CELEBRITY CHEF
Lineker has emerged as a kitchen connoisseur – after telling the Beeb in the spring he “only started cooking about eight years ago”.
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“Gambas al ajillo” – Spanish garlic shrimp, to you and me – is his speciality.
Such is his devotion to learning, he even cooked “three or four meals a day” during the Covid lockdown “not to eat but to practise”.
Piers Morgan labelled Lineker “Chef Gaz” after the MOTD star served what the celebrity Arsenal fan called a “quite delicious feast” in front of the cameras.
And don’t forget the 48-goal ex-Three Lions‘ marksman has a far better footballing pedigree than Britain’s best-known TV chef – Gordon Ramsay!
The Scot briefly trialled for his dream club Rangers aged 15 – but a serious knee injury ruined his playing hopes.
JOINING A RIVAL BROADCASTER
Recruiting Lineker would certainly be a coup for ANY Beeb rival.
The Daily Mail even claimed he approached ITV at one stage over the past two years to assess if they were interested in him.
But there’s been little talk of a move from fellow broadcasters like Sky Sports or TNT Sports.
And Lineker, whose MOTD contract expires at the end of the season, has regularly stated his strong backing for the BBC.
HOSTING OWN TALKSHOW
Lineker appears to love the laidback style of The Rest is Football podcast – alongside MOTD team-mates Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
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And his willingness to dip his oar into many issues means he’d be in demand for all sorts of shows.
He also did longer, more in-depth interviews in front of cameras for the Beeb’s “Gary Lineker Meets” series.
But the ex-Leicester City hero has so far not expressed much keenness to branch out into a wider talkshow format.
REALITY STAR
TV bosses would lap up the chance to sign top-target Lineker to just about any show.
The renowned presenter has previously been tipped to sign-up for BBC flagship show Strictly Come Dancing.
When previously asked by judge Shirley Ballas on Sport Relief if he was keen, Lineker said: “Sorry, I’ve got a Saturday job.”
But with his Saturday night’s now free for the first time in 25 years, Lineker is finally free to sign up.
Or he could be offered to front up another show away from sport.
He previously hosted ITV quiz show Sitting on a Fortune from 2021-2023.
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