Broadcaster Gary Lineker is to step down as host of flagship soccer programme Match of the Day on the finish of this season, BBC Information understands.
His departure is anticipated to be introduced formally by the BBC on Tuesday.
The Solar, who first reported the story, additionally stated the presenter would go away the BBC after main protection of the 2026 World Cup within the US, Canada and Mexico.
Lineker’s consultant has been approached for remark. The BBC press workplace declined to remark.
Lineker, whose contract was coming to an finish, entered negotiations with the BBC’s new head of sport in October.
BBC Information understands that Lineker was open to staying on at Match of the Day, however the BBC didn’t provide him a brand new contract for the present.
The 63-year-old has hosted Match of the Day since 1999. He could have held the publish for 26 years when he leaves on the finish of the Premier League season in Could 2025.
Lineker instructed Esquire journal in an interview revealed earlier this month that he accepted he’ll “should decelerate sooner or later”.
Earlier within the 12 months, the presenter joked about hypothesis he may depart the BBC. He opened a Match of the Day broadcast by saying it was his “ultimate present”. After a pause, he added “earlier than the worldwide break”.
PALineker is among the company’s best-known presenters and its highest-paid star, of these whose salaries are declared, incomes greater than £1.3m a 12 months.
He has additionally introduced protection of main tournaments like World Cups and European Championships for the BBC, in addition to BBC Sports activities Character of the 12 months ceremonies.
Lineker has labored for different sports activities networks throughout his time on the BBC, together with US community NBC and BT Sport (now TNT Sport). He has additionally branched out into podcasts, co-founding manufacturing firm Goalhanger, which makes fashionable exhibits together with The Relaxation is Historical past, The Relaxation is Politics and The Relaxation is Leisure.
Alastair Campbell, who co-presents The Relaxation Is Politics podcast, stated Lineker can be “a really exhausting act to comply with”, Sky Information reported.
“He is a superb broadcaster and an excellent man,” Campbell stated.
Lineker’s new contract has now been agreed and he’ll depart on a excessive on the greatest match in world soccer. However changing a star presenter on a excessive profile present is all the time a threat.
Some followers have instructed Match of the Day 2 host Mark Chapman ought to step into the position, however different soccer presenters together with Gabby Logan and Alex Scott are additionally on followers’ lists as potential successors.
Lineker has been concerned in controversy on the BBC due to his social media exercise.
He was briefly suspended by bosses final 12 months after an outcry over a publish in regards to the UK’s asylum coverage.
The incident led to a evaluation of BBC social media pointers, which concluded that high-profile presenters must be allowed to precise views on points and insurance policies however cease wanting political campaigning.
Lineker described the brand new guidelines on the time as “all very wise”.
Earlier than changing into a TV presenter, Lineker had a massively profitable profession as a striker for England in addition to Leicester, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona.
Further reporting by Steven McIntosh, leisure reporter
