There may be uncertainty about Gary Lineker’s future with the BBC, as reports suggest he has been passed over for presenting the network’s new Champions League highlights program. Despite hosting the BBC’s flagship football show, Match of the Day, Lineker is not expected to be part of their Champions League coverage, according to The Telegraph. This development adds to the ambiguity surrounding his position, as he only has 12 months left on his £1.35 million-a-year contract.
Gary Lineker has been reportedly overlooked for the role of presenting the BBC’s Champions League highlights program.
Lineker, who previously presented BT Sport’s Champions League coverage, was considered a frontrunner for the role. However, it appears that Gabby Logan has been chosen by BBC executives instead. This news comes amidst ongoing ambiguity about whether Lineker’s contract will be extended following his suspension from Match of the Day last year, which prompted several of his fellow pundits to strike in solidarity.
The suspension occurred in March 2023, after Lineker made a controversial comment on social media comparing the Conservative government’s language around asylum policy to that of Germany in the 1930s. The BBC’s reprimand led to a strike by pundits like Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, which caused embarrassment for the network’s top executives. While the BBC did hold discussions with Lineker about the Champions League highlights show, they ultimately did not make him a formal offer.
It is understood that Lineker’s busy schedule, which includes his popular Rest is Football podcast, and his reluctance to travel to the BBC’s Salford studio for midweek programs, have contributed to this decision. The future of Lineker, who continues to express his political views forthrightly, is now in the hands of BBC director general Tim Davie. With Match of the Day secured until 2029, the network needs to provide clarity on the program’s direction and the role of its presenters.
Lineker’s outspokenness has drawn criticism, including from some within the England camp, particularly during his critical commentary on the Three Lions’ performances at Euro 2024. He described their display against Denmark as ‘excrement’, prompting a response from skipper Harry Kane. As the BBC prepares to announce more details about their Champions League commitments next month, the future of Lineker and Match of the Day remains uncertain.
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