• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Gary Lineker 'wanted to leave' BBC for another broadcaster but was told they 'weren't interested'

Home> Football> Football News

Published 16:23 18 Jul 2024 GMT+1

Gary Lineker 'wanted to leave' BBC for another broadcaster but was told they 'weren't interested'

Reports claim Gary Lineker was open to leaving the BBC, where he has hosted Match of the Day since 1999.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Gary Lineker was keen on leaving BBC for another broadcaster - only to be knocked back - reports claim.

Lineker has been the presenter of Match of the Day since 1999 and also fronts coverage of international football for the broadcaster.

He also had a period hosting the Champions League for TNT Sports and has been hitting headlines with the Rest is Football podcast alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

But despite being the BBC's top earner on £1.35 million a year, according to the Daily Mail, Lineker was in touch for ITV over the past 18 months regarding a shock switch.

Advert

It's claimed the 63-year-old had conversations about the possibility of becoming the broadcaster's new sports presenter but ITV were not interested.

Lineker's new contract is up next year and it appears as though he was prepared to explore opportunities elsewhere.

Jon Holmes, the former Spurs and England striker's agent, branded the claims "rubbish" - instead stating that ITV tried to bring in Lineker "years ago" but saw their advances rejected.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

Advert

Responding to whether Lineker had had initiated different discussions in the last 18 months, Holmes brought up the ex Barcelona working for ITV in other capacities during the aforementioned period.

Lineker hosted game show Sitting on a Fortune between 2021 and 2023 before it was cancelled.

However, the outlet say in this instance dialogue was with in relation to hosting sports coverage for ITV, whose presenters include Laura Woods and Mark Pougatch.

Last year, Lineker was told to step back by the BBC over an impartiality row - leading to a monumental boycott of the channel's sports programming.

Advert

Upon his return for an FA Cup game between Manchester City and Burnley, Lineker said his time "is nearly up" presenting Match of the Day.

The BBC declined to comment. SPORTbible has also reached out to ITV and Gary Lineker's representatives for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Getty & BBC

Topics: Gary Lineker

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • What Gary Lineker told England player in private chat after Euro 2024 final defeat speaks volumes
  • Gary Lineker's future on Match of the Day thrown into doubt with BBC colleague to host new show instead
  • BBC suffer bizarre technical fault during Gareth Southgate post-match interview that left Gary Lineker shocked
  • BBC suffer bizarre technical fault during Gareth Southgate post-match interview that left Gary Lineker shocked

Choose your content:

12 hours ago
13 hours ago
  • 12 hours ago

    Viktor Gyokeres has ‘chosen’ his next club as Fabrizio Romano drops bombshell update

    Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres is in demand.

    Football
  • 12 hours ago

    Wayne Rooney didn't hesitate when ranking himself amongst greatest ever strikers

    Wayne Rooney participated in a game of 'Winner Stays On' and he had little hesitation with his selections.

    Football
  • 13 hours ago

    FIFA forced into last minute change ahead of Club World Cup amid major embarrassment fears

    The new FIFA Club World Cup tournament kicks off with Inter Miami taking on Al Ahly but tickets have not been selling well.

    Football
  • 13 hours ago

    Gerard Pique publicly shared bank statement to show what elite footballer's pay slip looks like

    The former Man Utd and Barcelona posted the statement on social media.

    Football