Gary Lineker believes BBC can resist ‘coup’ on Match of the Day

Gary Lineker believes he can fend off a “coup” attempt remove it from the presentation Match of the Day (MoTD).

Speculation continues that the BBC is preparing to cut ties with Lineker. A leaked email has suggested Sport’s new chairman is preparing a statement announcing the broadcaster’s departure, amid claims he is backing moves that will shake up its presenting staff.

But Lineker, whose £1.35 million BBC contract expires in the summer of 2025, later said talks had restarted Extends 25-year term of office ahead of the flagship football show.

If fans felt like there was nothing to see here and maybe there was more going on behind the scenes, they might be right.

Asked by I In response to allegations that the BBC may be preparing to end Lineker’s reign, Lineker’s representatives responded with the words “Operation Prawn” accompanied by the flag of the Republic of Benin in West Africa.

Operation Prawn was a failed coup attempt in Benin in 1977 in which French mercenaries attempted to extract prawns. Mathieu Kérékou, Revolutionary communist party leader of the African nation.

Kérékou had advance knowledge of the attackers’ intentions and fought off the attack with North Korean support. He remained president for another 14 years and returned for another 10-year term in 1996.

Lineker’s comparison may be dramatic but it outlines a desire to extend his tenure MoTD. Despite his extensive foreign business interests – his Goalhanger podcast company worth an estimated £30 million – Lineker has no intention of being laid off from his day job.

The 63-year-old has survived the most serious threat to his job after the BBC briefly suspended him for criticizing the Conservative government’s immigration policy on social media last year.

When other experts, including Alan Shearer, refused to appear on the programme. MoTD BBC bosses, who stood in solidarity with Lineker and caused a print down, swiftly reinstated him.

Lineker has indicated he is willing to take a £350,000 pay cut to smooth out a new deal, but some at the BBC believe cutting ties with the star would help show the Labor government it is serious about making savings ahead of job talks. The future of licensing fees.

“The change of government makes it easier for the BBC to leave Gary,” said a former senior executive. “Previously this was seen as a move to bow to Conservative Party pressure on social media tweets, but that will not be the case under Labour.”

Others at the company suggested Lineker could still play an important role in a “renewed” world. MoTDalbeit at a significantly lower salary and on a shorter contract.

Speculation about Lineker’s immediate future was fueled by the leak of an email purportedly from Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC’s head of Sport since June, containing a draft press release announcing the presenter’s departure.

The BBC has not confirmed or denied the authenticity of the email it published. Daily MailIt included a quote from BBC director general Tim Davie in tribute to Lineker.

Mr Kay-Jelski wants to “renew” MoTDBroadcast sources say young presenters are helping to future-proof the Saturday night fixture.

But despite Premiership goals now being available to watch on YouTube within minutes of the final whistle, ratings for the show under Lineker remain strong.

The presenter has reportedly offered to take a £350,000-a-year pay cut to move on MoTD another two or three years.

“The BBC is speaking to various names about the contracts and, as always, there is some dancing going on,” a BBC official said.

Lineker, whose salary reaches £1.75 million, signed a five-year deal to lead the BBC’s football coverage in 2020. But the company, which cut 500 jobs in a bid to save £200 million, now plans to offer two or three one-year contracts with top talent at lower pay levels.

Mr Kay-Jelski’s allies say: MoTD It needs to “evolve” now that Premiership goals are available for free on YouTube.

BBC wants to do MoTD Becoming a prominent “brand” on weekends rather than making appointments on Saturday nights, I he understands.

Another insider said: “Politically it would have been easier to lose Lineker under Labor. But it’s really about whether the BBC wants to make a grand gesture by saying the days of hugely inflated talent salaries are over.

“There are a lot of people who want to keep Gary and he has shown that he wants to stay by announcing a pay cut. But it may be in the wider interest of the company to let him go.”

While discussions about its future continue, Goalhanger has become the UK’s largest independent podcast producer. It is now expanding into live events with a stage presentation. The Rest is Politics The hit show, hosted by Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, played to a crowd of 13,000 fans at the O2 Arena last week.

Lineker and Goalhanger co-founders former BBC executive Jack Davenport and former ITV Sport controller Tony Pastor could be in line for a multi-million pound payout if they agree to sell the firm to a US podcast giant.

There is frustration among BBC bosses with Lineker and his friends. MoTD Pundits Shearer and Micah Richards often voice their trenchant opinions on the Goalhanger-produced podcast, The rest is Football.

The show logs nearly eight million streams a month on YouTube alone.

At last summer’s European Championship, Lineker described England’s 1-1 draw against Denmark as “shit”, words that irritated captain Harry Kane and threatened the BBC’s relationship with the England team.

These comments were helpful The rest is Football Earn £125,000 in revenue in the Euro’s opening weeks.

“It is strange that the BBC paid Lineker to be the face of football but he has his most controversial views expressed elsewhere,” the former BBC executive said.

Former Sports Editor Daily MailKay-Jelski has been tasked with representing the BBC in talks with rights holders, including the Premier League, as well as promoting sport viewing on the BBC’s digital services.

Lineker and Shearer’s “double action” is also appreciated in the BBC Sport department. Reports suggest that the BBC has also started negotiations for a new deal. MoTD He signed Shearer in 2023, earning £380,000.

With his contract renewal yet to be confirmed, Lineker’s representatives are understood to have alerted ITV and streaming platforms, which currently show Premiership and Champions League matches, about his potential availability. His current BBC contract is non-exclusive and allows Lineker to appear on an ITV game show. Sitting on a Fortune.

No competing publishers can offer the same platform and visibility MoTD But the BBC’s current contract also calls for Lineker to guide the nation through international summer football tournaments while also taking on his own leadership. Sports Personality of the Year awards.

Lineker, whose reluctance to rein in social media use has made life difficult for BBC bosses, said he wanted to continue at the company for as long as they wanted.

If Lineker is to sign a new deal, leaving by congratulating Thomas Tuchel on leading England to victory in the 2026 World Cup Final might be the ideal way to leave.

The BBC declined to comment.

A BBC source said of Lineker’s situation: “We have nothing to disclose and have not agreed the next steps regarding his contract. “His contract continues until the end of the season.”

Sources rejected any suggestion that the change of government would have any impact on Lineker’s future.