Gary Lineker reveals plans after BBC exit as he makes millions from another job

The departing Match of the Day presenter says he has 'had talks' with a rival broadcaster

Gary Lineker has revealed his plans for life after the BBC,with the presenter's contract with the corporation ending next year.

The 64-year-old will step down as host of Match of the Day next month, having held the role for 26 years, and will be replaced by a new-look presenting trio of Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates.

However, he will continue to front some of the BBC's football coverage, including next season's FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup, before reportedly walking away from the broadcaster altogether.

But while the former England striker would be in hot demand with decades of broadcasting experience under his belt, he says he has no plans of joining a rival broadcaster - despite Sky Sports approaching Lineker on several occasions.

Suggesting that he may step away from TV altogether to focus on podcasting, the presenter told FourFourTwo: "I don't think you'll see me doing much football [after leaving the BBC], apart from the podcast. I'll do the odd thing, but I don't think you'll see me appearing regularly on another channel.

"We've had talks with Sky at various points, but I always wanted to stick with the BBC," added Lineker, who earned £1.35m from the corporation last year. "I could have earned a lot more, though I know I've been well paid anyway, obviously.

"I've had offers to go elsewhere but I just loved being with the BBC, and also how it helps everything else you do. It's not only the kudos, the audience is much bigger. More people still watch Match of the Day than probably the biggest live game on Sundays.

"Also, I'm quite loyal. I've had the same guy cut my hair for 40 years, the same guy training me in the gym for 30 years, the same agent since I was 18..."

With a TV departure on the cards, Lineker is set to focus on his burgeoning podcast empire instead. Having founded Goalhanger Podcasts in 2019, its 13-strong series of shows - including The Rest is Politics, The Rest is Entertainment and The Rest is Football, which he presents with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer - have proved to be huge hits, raking in millions of listeners.

The business has also seen Lineker earn a pretty penny in addition to his staggering BBC wage, having recorded a huge £1.4 million profit last year. According to accounts filed at Companies House, Goalhanger's retained earnings rose from £590,000 in 2023 to just over £2 million last year, while it holds £2.7m in its bank accounts.