Gary Lineker expected to leave the BBC

Gary Lineker is expected to leave the BBC. An announcement is likely on Monday.

The 64-year-old may step down after his final Match of the Day next weekend.

Lineker is the highest-paid presenter at the BBC. He was set to cover next season's FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup. However, he previously announced he would leave Match of the Day at season's end.

Last week, he apologized for a social media post about Zionism. The post included an illustration of a rat, which has antisemitic connotations. Lineker expressed regret and stated he would never share anything antisemitic knowingly.

BBC Director General Tim Davie commented on the situation last week. He said, "The BBC's reputation is held by everyone." He added that mistakes can be costly for the organization.

It appears that BBC bosses found Lineker's position untenable. The former England striker has faced criticism for his social media posts before.

In March 2023, he was temporarily suspended over impartiality concerns. He had compared government asylum policy language to that used in Germany in the 1930s.

Following this incident, the BBC revised its social media rules. Presenters of flagship programs like Match of the Day now have a heightened responsibility to maintain impartiality.

In November 2024, Lineker announced his departure from Match of the Day but planned to stay with the BBC for other coverage.

Earlier this year, he suggested that the BBC wanted him to leave Match of the Day during contract negotiations. He remarked, "Well, perhaps they want me to leave."

The BBC did not comment on his suggestion but praised him as a "world-class presenter." They noted that Match of the Day "continually evolves for changing viewing habits."

Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan will present Match of the Day starting in the 2025-26 season.