This summer season may see a bumper crop of free brokers available on the market, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Heung-min Son and Kevin De Bruyne amongst a number of huge names within the ultimate yr of their respective contracts.
Nonetheless, it’s not simply the gamers who’re dealing with unsure futures, as one of many nation’s main broadcasters can be into the ultimate months of his present deal.
Gary Lineker has been the face of the BBC’s soccer protection and presenter of Match of the Day for 25 years, with the 63-year-old the lead presenter through the company’s protection of Euro 2024 this summer season.
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However there was hypothesis over his future in latest months, on condition that Lineker is now within the ultimate yr of his £1.35million-per-year contract with the BBC. As issues stand, subsequently, that is set to be his ultimate yr within the position.
This comes after the BBC revealed that Lineker won’t current the broadcaster’s new Champions League highlights present that begins this week, regardless of Lineker having beforehand fronted BT Sport’s protection of the competitors.
Lineker has been the topic of quite a few controversies in latest months, having been briefly suspended by the BBC for taking intention on the then-Conservative authorities’s use of language round asylum coverage on social media in 2023. His criticism of England’s Euro 2024 group stage performances that he made on his The Relaxation if Soccer podcast had been additionally picked up on and had been addressed by Three Lions skipper Harry Kane through the match.
Gary Lineker (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Lineker final month mentioned his future through the celebrations for Match of The Day’s sixtieth anniversary when he was requested how lengthy he’ll proceed for on BBC Breakfast.
“I do not… I do not know! Relies upon how lengthy they need me, I suppose. I really like doing it for the time being; I’ve nonetheless acquired one other yr left, at the least.
“We’ll have to attend and see what occurs. Clearly it is one other change in soccer and tv and the rights of the Premier League and stuff like that.
“All of this stuff will play a component. However I simply really feel it has been an absolute privilege to have offered it for 25 years now. I have to be getting outdated!”
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Who will current the BBC’s new Champions League highlights present , following Gary Lineker snub?
