Former Tottenham Hotspur and England striker Gary Lineker has announced he will be stepping down from all Match of the Day presenting roles after this weekend's final round of Premier League fixtures.
Lineker's exit from the weekly Saturday night highlights show had been decided earlier this year with the BBC agreeing to keep the 64-year-old on for live FA Cup broadcasts and the upcoming World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada in 2026. However, the presenter was criticised recently after sharing a social media post about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza which contained an image of a rat.
This depiction of a rat has a historical connection to anti-Semitic tropes. Lineker apologised for this and deleted the post.
However on Monday, he confirmed that he would not be staying on with the broadcaster for the FA Cup and World Cup next season. In a statement, the Leicester City supporter said: "Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio.
"I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for.
"However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action."
Speculation is now building as to what Lineker will do post-Match of the Day. According to Betway, his likely next course of action is to start a podcast (priced at 2/1).
Currently, Lineker presents The Rest is Football with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards but it is favoured that he will branch out on his own for a solo podcast, most likely under 'The Rest is' banner which he owns. Closely following that is him starring in an Amazon or Netflix documentary about his life (3/1) and landing a job with FIFA, the FA or UEFA (4/1).
There are some more outlandish suggestions as well which include him appearing back on the BBC on one of their reality TV shows. Hosting the currently shelved Question of Sport and appearing on Strictly Come Dancing are both in at 5/1 while a Celebrity Masterchef appearance is at 6/1.
A move into the political realm is also being tipped but that is considered to be a long shot. Becoming special advisor to the Labour Party is at 5/1, gaining his own politics column for a national newspaper is at 10/1 and standing as a Labour MP is priced at 16/1.
Take a look at the full list of potential next career moves for Lineker below:
- Host a solo podcast - 2/1
- Amazon or Netflix documentary - 3/1
- Role at FIFA, the FA or UEFA - 4/1
- Special advisor to the Labour Party - 5/1
- Host of Question of Sport - 5/1
- Appear on Strictly Come Dancing - 5/1
- Appear on Celebrity Masterchef - 6/1
- Appear on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! - 8/1
- Write a politics column - 10/1
- Stand as a Labour MP - 16/1
- Become Mayor of Leicester - 20/1
- Own rival beach club chain to his brother Wayne Lineker - 25/1
- Write a book - 33/1
- Become chairman of Walkers Crisps - 33/1