Gary Lineker could be sacked from BBC Match of the Day on back of new chairman race - 7M sport

Gary Lineker could be sacked from BBC Match of the Day on back of new chairman race

Former England striker Gary Lineker recently signed a new contract to keep the Match of the Day host at BBC for another five years but that could be in danger with Kelvin MacKenzie interested in becoming chairman of the broadcaster


Posted Monday, October 12, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk

Gary Lineker could be sacked as Match of the Day host with Kelvin MacKenzie believed to be interested in becoming chairman of the BBC.

MacKenzie, who formerly edited The Sun, had tweeted to say he was applying to be chairman of the Beeb earlier this week.

And it could see the end of Lineker’s time with the association, despite him taking a pay cut as he recently penned a new contract keeping him at the broadcaster until 2025.

MacKenzie said in a video: “He can go and eat crisps for a living or work for BT Sport."

Lineker first presented Match of the Day back in 1999 and has fronted the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup, major football tournaments and BBC Sports Personality Of The Year.

Gary Lineker could be sacked from BBC Match of the Day on back of new chairman race
Gary Lineker first presented Match of the Day back in 1999

On signing his new deal, Lineker had said: “I love working with the BBC, and am very proud to continue to be a part of their outstanding football team.

“I’m looking forward to the next five years - with a European Championship and World Cup on the horizon, it’s exciting times for me and the team.”

It’s believed plenty of channels and ideas at the BBC could be at risk if MacKenzie is successful in his application.

MacKenzie said in his tweet that he would sell-off Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 5 as well as BBC One and BBC Two.

The £157.50 licence fee would also reportedly be halved to make the BBC more competitive with monthly subscription networks, such as Netflix.

MacKenzie added: “It is too much money and is designed to prop up too many people, like Gary Lineker. He’s got two jobs already.

“Sky might hire him. Get him off my payroll. I do not want to have a multi-millionaire making money while I’m pushing a broom outside of Aldi.

“I’m very confident that I will land the job, so get supporting me.”



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.