Outspoken views & foul language’ to cost Gary Lineker Match of the Day job? BBC chief planning ‘new era’ as ex-England striker is moved on after 25 years

The former England and Tottenham striker has spent 25 years fronting football coverage for the BBC, including their flagship Premier League highlights show. Lineker is said to be working on the most lucrative contract at the British Broadcasting Corporation.

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  THE GOSSIP

  There is, however, plenty of speculation to be found regarding an end to Lineker’s stint at the BBC. His contract is due to run until the end of the current campaign, but no extension has been agreed. According to the Daily Mail, a “new era” is ready to be ushered in.

  WHAT AN INSIDER SAID

  BBC sports supremo Alex Kay-Jelski is reportedly planning to “freshen up” Match of the Day with a new presenter that would “appeal more to a younger audience”. The BBC chief is said to view Lineker’s £1.35 million a year salary as “excessive”, with an insider telling MailOnline: “Lineker’s job is very much under threat. He’s fronted Match of the Day for over 25 years, so the show is due a change, and Kay-Jelski is the man ruthless enough to trigger one. His brutal axing of [Jermaine] Jenas shows he’s not afraid to make big decisions and he has no qualms about potentially upsetting Lineker. There’s a feeling within Match of the Day a new era is ready to kick in and Lineker will be the biggest casualty.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Kay-Jelski is also said to have grown tired of the “outspoken views and foul language” that feature on The Rest Is Football podcast that Lineker fronts alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards – with comments made on that platform reflecting badly on the BBC.

  WHAT NEXT?

  A press release announcing Lineker’s departure is said to have been drafted, although it is yet to be released. A spokesperson for the BBC has 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.” Lineker told a Daily Mail reporter to “f*ck off” when quizzed on his future outside his London home.