Candidates tipped to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day presenter are on “red alert” after a leaked email suggested the host’s time on the show could be coming to an end.
The BBC insists nothing has been agreed over Gary Lineker’s future after reports suggested it was preparing to end his 25-year spell as host of the flagship football show.
Lineker, who is the BBC’s highest-paid presenter with an annual salary of £1.35 million, is understood to be in talks with the broadcaster’s chiefs as his contract expires at the end of this football season.
However a Daily Mail report that it had seen a draft BBC email suggesting Saturday would be Lineker’s final appearance as Match of the Day host, even though his contract had many months to run, sent shockwaves through the BBC Sport department. The BBC did not confirm whether the email was genuine or not.
Insiders said the speculation had given fresh urgency to discussions over a succession plan for Lineker, whenever he does leave.
Jermaine Jenas, who was seen as Lineker’s natural successor, is out of the picture after being sacked by the BBC following complaints about his conduct.
Match of the Day 2 presenter Mark Chapman is now considered to be in pole position to take over the Saturday night show. Other contenders include Gabby Logan and Alex Scott, the former England Lioness.
A BBC insider said: “Even if there is no imminent change it’s placed Gary’s possible replacements on red alert. Jenas’s exit has opened up the race and Mark Chapman would be a popular choice.”
The figure added: “It’s possible there might not be one lead presenter, duties could be shared between two. TV rights deals mean the biggest Premiership matches are split between Saturday and Sunday anyway.”
Chapman, 50, selected as a main presenter of the BBC’s new midweek UEFA Champions League highlights programme, along with Logan, could expect a significant uplift on his £260,000 salary.
Logan, one of the first female sports anchors to break into terrestrial television, has covered several Olympic Games, the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games during her 17 years at the BBC.
She and Chapman joined forces this year to front a new podcast, The Sports Agents, produced by the team behind Emily Maitlis’s daily show, The News Agents.
The BBC said speculation over Lineker’s immediate future was inaccurate. A BBC spokesman said: “We have nothing to announce and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is under contract until the end of the season.”
The spokesperson added that Saturday night’s MoTD would be “as billed.” Lineker is “under contract and presenting.”
The leaked email was said to be from Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC’s director of sport, and its contents suggest that this Saturday would be Lineker’s last appearance on Match of the Day.
It reportedly included a tribute from Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, describing Lineker as a “world-class presenter.” Mailonline, which first reported the email, said it could not vouch for its authenticity.
Lineker, 63, who has fronted MoTD since 199, has said he has no plans to give up presenting the Saturday highlights show, and would be doing so for at least “another year”.
A recent report in The Sun suggested he was in talks with the BBC over a renewal of his multi-year deal, which concludes next Summer, with the presenter willing to take a £350,000 pay cut.
Lineker has extensive outside interests, including his stake in Goalhanger Productions, the podcast company behind hit shows including The Rest Is Politics.
One of its biggest moneyspinners is The Rest Is Football, a series featuring fellow MoTD pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
Lineker has previously presented a quiz show for ITV and could expect interest from Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sport to present football coverage, should he become a free agent.
He would also be free to share his political opinions with much less scrutiny, after being briefly suspended by the BBC last year over tweets that criticised the Conservative government’s immigration policy.
Chapman and Logan were named joint favourites to replace Lineker by William Hill on Friday. Ex-Manchester City defender Richards and Alex Scott were also in contention, followed by Clare Balding and Jason Mohammad, according to the bookmaker.
Lineker’s representatives were approached for comment.
