Gary Lineker is reportedly confident he can fight off a ‘coup’ from BBC bosses amid uncertainty over his Match of the Day future.
Talk of the 63-year-old potentially leaving the show next year has gathered pace over the past few months.
There have been claims that the BBC are considering replacing Lineker with a younger presenter in order to attract more viewers, with director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski apparently frustrated with how outspoken the former England star can be.
However, representatives for Lineker have reportedly told the i that he’s confident he can stay on as MOTD host – even though his current deal is due to expire next year.
Gary Lineker is reportedly confident he can fight off a ‘coup’ from BBC bosses amid uncertainty over his Match of the Day future
GETTY
It’s said those close to Lineker replied with the words ‘Operation Shrimp’ when they probed into the matter, with their message accompanied by a flag of the Republic of Benin in West Africa.
Operation Shrimp was a failed 1977 coup attempt in Benin, when French mercenaries tried to remove leader Mathieu Kérékou.
Kérékou was aware moves were being made to replace him and he fought off the attack. He would proceed to stay on as president for a further 14 years and also returned for another 10-year stint in 1996.
Lineker ‘has no intention’ of being pushed out of the BBC, even if his Rest is Football podcast is soaring in popularity.
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The 63-year-old is prepared to take a pay cut worth around £350,000 in order to stay on.
Yet some within the BBC believe cutting ties with Lineker would show to the new Labour government that it is serious about making savings ahead of discussions over the future of the license fee.
A former senior executive is quoted as saying: “The change of Government makes it easier for the BBC to move on from Gary.
“Previously, it would have been seen as a move caving in to Conservative pressure over his social media tweets but that won’t be the case under Labour.”
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Another insider reportedly said: “Politically, it would be easier to lose Lineker now under Labour.
“But it’s really about whether the BBC wants to make a grand gesture by saying the days of massively inflated salaries for talent are over.
“There are many who want to keep Gary, and he’s shown he wants to stay by floating the pay cut.
“But it could be in the wider corporate interest that it’s better to let him go.”
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Gary Lineker has been the host of Match of the Day ever since 1999
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This is something the BBC have denied, however.
There is a possibility that Lineker will sign a new deal, albeit a shorter one on a reduced salary.
Meanwhile, amid rumours over Lineker potentially leaving the BBC, former Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson thinks Mark Chapman would be the ideal replacement.
“I still tune in regularly,” he told the Metro, via Free Bets.
Gary Lineker wants to stay at the BBC amid uncertainty over his Match of the Day future
PA
“It is still a very good programme, full stop. I know there is a lot of speculation over Gary at the moment. Would it surprise me if he left at the end of the season? Possibly no. But he has earned the right to make his own decision, there is no doubt there whatever.
“And in Chappers, there is a ready-made replacement if it goes that way.
“It will be up to Gary. Replacing Gary, it’s a big role for whoever takes it. Before him, Des [Lynham] and Jimmy Hill did it for years and were wonderful but at the end of it all, your time comes.
“But the good thing for Gary is, I think he will decide. I don’t think the BBC will decide. He will decide if he wants to go. He has earned the right to do so. He’s earned the right to leave.”