Gary Lineker 'offered to take £350k salary cut' to keep Match Of The Day job before being axed by BBC

Lineker is set to to leave his role on the BBC's flagship football programme at the end of the season but will lead their World Cup 2026 coverage before departing the broadcaster altogether. The 63-year-old was "open" to continuing, and even willing to take a £350,000-a-year pay cut, but saw his offer rejected by the BBC and was ultimately "forced out," according to the Daily Mail. He currently earns £1.35m a year.

The corporation opted against keeping Lineker as new boss Alex Kay-Jelski wants to cut the salary bill and "freshen up" the BBC's Saturday night football coverage. The BBC's culture and media editor Katie Razzall said: "Lineker was open to staying on at Match of the Day, but the BBC did not offer him a new contract for the show."

BBC director general and ex-FA chairman Greg Dyke also admitted Lineker was "very expensive" when talking about his forthcoming exit. He said: "It's a big loss, but life moves on. Match Of The Day will continue, while having a new presenter, just as when Des Lynam left and Gary Lineker took over from him 20 years ago. He's become a big presenter and a big personality and a very good performer for the BBC, but life moves on. Presenters don't stay forever.

"In the end, people watch Match Of The Day for the football. I was at ITV when he first became a TV personality and it's fair to say he wasn't a great presenter in those days, but he grew into the job and he's been brilliant for the BBC. He's without doubt the outstanding sports presenter of his time. I heard it was by mutual consent. But we all know how much he earns. He's very expensive and the BBC is in difficulties financially. It would be a saving on the sports budget which it could use elsewhere. I don't know if he was offered a new contract or not."

Lineker may be departing Match of the Day but he has secured an agreement to stream his The Rest is Football podcast on BBC Sounds. Brand and Culture expert Nick Ede told the Daily Mail it's a "great deal" which will mean "lots more money" for Lineker.