Gary Lineker drops another hint over BBC Match of the Day future: "I have to slow down"

Gary Lineker has admitted he will have to slow down as speculation continues to mount over his future.

The former England captain has fronted the flagship highlights programme since 1999 and is the corporation's highest-paid on-air talent. But there have been suggestions Lineker could step away from the show, with his current deal expiring at the end of the current season.

was reportedly leaked, suggesting an announcement of Lineker’s departure was being drawn up. That was quickly refuted with bosses insisting ‘there was nothing to announce’, with talks over a new deal ongoing.

He broached the subject on ‘The Rest is ’ podcast which he hosts alongside colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Lineker co-founded Goalhanger Podcasts, which has a host of hugely successful shows across a broad range of topics.

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which was conducted in August and published in their latest issue, he refused to rule out ending his BBC association to focus on his other business interests.

He said: “I could do. Whether that will be the case I don’t know. At some point, I have to slow down somewhere… I’m getting old.”

Speaking last month about his Match of the Day future, he said on his podcast: "As you know, like [ players] Trent [Alexander-Arnold], like Virgil [van Dijk], like Mo [Salah], I am coming to the end of my contract in the summer.

"It's natural at some point that you have to have conversations and they've just started. I don't know why it all spiralled out of control, but all is okay."

It's been reported that Lineker would be willing to take a pay cut of around £350,000 in order to extend his stay. He appeared relaxed on a show earlier this season when he began the show by saying: "Seven matches on the way and it's my final show... before the international break," with a cheeky smile.

In another interview with BBC Breakfast he painted a similarly calm picture over the situation. "It depends how long they want me, I suppose.

“I love doing it at the moment; I've still got another year left, at least. So we'll have to wait and see what happens.

"Obviously it's another change in football and television and the rights of the Premier League and stuff like that. All of these things will play a part. But I just feel it's been an absolute privilege to have presented it for 25 years now. I must be getting old!"

It is understood that if - and when - Lineker does step aside from the show, Mark Chapman would be the most likely candidate to be his successor. Chapman, 50, already has the gig of presenting Match of the Day 2 on Sundays, having done so since 2013.

He's also a presenter on Radio 5 Live and recently was announced as the presenter of the BBC's new highlights show.

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