Gary Lineker backed to survive after Match of the Day axe as he's 'more than sorted with podcast empire'

Earlier this month, Lineker announced that he would be stepping down from the mantle as host of BBC's Match of the Day. The Three Lions legend joined the popular football show in 1999, replacing then-presenter Des Lynam, and soon becoming BBC Sport's highest-paid presenter.

Lineker has not yet announced what the future holds for him after the end of the season. However, The Sun have reported their belief that Lineker will be okay to not return to presenting after building a podcast empire with his production company Goalhanger Podcasts. The Sun believe 'he is more than sorted'.

As per Podwatch [via The Sun], Goalhanger Podcasts takes the first three slots (The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics, and The Rest Is Entertainment), in the UK podcast charts, with The Rest Is Politics: US at six and The Rest Is Football at twenty. Five more of Goalhanger's dozen podcasts are in the top 100.

The England legend will remain as BBC's Match of the Day presenter until the end of the season and will then leave the show. Lineker is likely to work on his podcast for the next season.