A "left-field choice" has been tipped to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day, after the former professional footballer revealed that he will be leaving at the end of this season after 25 years as the show's main presenter.
The BBC's highest-paid star, earning more than £1.3m annually, is expected to continue his relationship with the broadcaster through to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada and sports journalist Ben Jacobs said that he is leaving on "amicable terms".
Speaking to GB News, Jacobs explained: "He was open to continuing, so it's very much an amicable, two-way decision.
"His podcast, which is called The Rest is Football, will be aired on BBC platforms. So there will still be an affiliation between Lineker and the BBC. But I think it's a bit of a changing of the guard.
Gary Lineker has hosted Match of the Day on the BBC for the past 25 years
BBC"As you say, it will be 26 years by the time he's done with Match of the Day. He's in his mid-60s. There's a new sports director at the BBC with different ideas.
"There's the cost issue and the BBC are probably looking to replace Gary Lineker with somebody on less than his 1.3 million salary. So it's a variety of things."
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Mark Chapman leads the race to replace Lineker, having hosted Match of the Day 2 for over a decade.
Fellow BBC presenters Gabby Logan and Alex Scott are also among the frontrunners to take over the prestigious role.
Jacobs said a "left-field" candidate could take the reins, explaining: "Mark Chapman and another outstanding presenter, Alex Scott [could take over.]
"I think Lineker said on his podcast that Micah Richards could be a left-field choice that he would endorse as well. So from those three, I think we might see the next presenter."
Lineker would "endorse" footballer Micah Richards as his replacements
GB News
"Of course, due to his own scandal, Jermaine Jenas, who was perhaps lined up to replace Lineker, will not be in the running because the BBC have ended their association with him."
He earlier added: "He's outstanding, world class and will be sorely missed and difficult to replace."
Jenas was axed by the BBC in September following an investigation into inappropriate behaviour.
Negotiations over Lineker's departure have been ongoing for the past six weeks, with a deal finally struck that "everyone is pleased with."
Gary Lineker will be focussing on his podcast
PALineker's future plans include focusing on his successful podcast business, which has gained significant traction in the United States.
"At some point, I have to slow down somewhere...I'm getting old," Lineker recently told Esquire Magazine.
A source close to the presenter told The Sun earlier this year: "Gary absolutely adores Match of the Day, and has been incredibly happy at the BBC. He wants to leave on a high."
