Gary Lineker gives major update on Match of the Day future after 'natural successor' Jermaine Jenas is sacked by the BBC

Gary Lineker has given a major update on his Match of the Day future following the sacking of Jermaine Jenas.

Lineker, 63, has presented the BBC's iconic football programme for the past 25 years, but his £1.3 million-a-year contract is set to expire at the end of the current season.

The former England striker has previously described Jermaine Jenas as his "natural successor" for the job, but Jenas was sacked by the broadcaster last week.

The 41-year-old was dismissed after female colleagues who worked with him on The One Show made complaints about inappropriate workplace behaviour.

Jenas admitted to sending messages to the women in a public apology he issues the day after his sacking.

The former Tottenham Hotspur star stressed that he has done nothing illegal and said that the messages were sent "between consenting adults."

Back in 2021, Jenas admitted that he would jump at the chance to to one day replace Lineker as Match of the Day host.

At the time, Lineker said: "Jermaine is my natural successor — I think he’s doing well."

Now, a week on from Jenas' dismissal, Lineker has indicated that he is willing to stay on as Match of the Day host beyond the end of his current contract.

Gary Lineker- Getty

"Match Of The Day is such an iconic show, 60 years is such a long time and I have presented it for 25 of those years," he told The Independent.

"Podcast-wise, things have really exceeded our expectations but, at the same time, I love being part of Match of the Day.

"I love working for the BBC. I know it has its issues and it has its troubles but I think it's brilliant. I think sometimes we don't shout about how good we are at the BBC."

When asked how long he expects to keep presenting MOTD, Lineker told BBC Breakfast earlier this week: "I don't know. Depends how long they want me, I suppose. I love doing it at the moment – I've still got another year left, at least."