Gary Lineker is reportedly in talks with another broadcaster which could see the presenter return to TV next month, after he was axed by the BBC.
Lineker was axed following an Instagram post about Zionism featuring a rat that ignited an antisemitism row.
The 64-year-old apologised again earlier this week, and admitted his exit is ‘the responsible course of action’.
He will present his final Match of the Day on Sunday after 26 years in the job – and will leave without a payoff from his £1.4million-a-year salary, MailOnline understands.
Lineker could reportedly make a swift return to screens, with the presenter’s Goalhanger Productions in talks over a deal with DAZN, according to the Guardian.
The report claims talks are ongoing over Lineker’s podcast, The Rest is Football, being featured as part of the streaming service’s coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Gary Lineker is reportedly in talks with DAZN after leaving the BBC earlier this week
A report claims Lineker’s Rest is Football podcast could be part of a deal with the streaming service DAZN ahead of next month’s Club World Cup
Gary Lineker’s exit from the BBC was confirmed this week and he will present his final show on Sunday
It is claimed The Rest is Football could launch shows featuring matches from the tournament.
The Premier League is represented by Chelsea and Man City at the tournament, which will kick off in the United States next month.
The report added that Lineker’s company could expand content with DAZN for the World Cup next year in the United States, Canada and Mexico, including the potential for instant post-match analysis.
‘We’re keen to take a similar approach to what we did around the [2024] Euros, with The Rest is Football going out more regularly across the tournament,’ said a Goalhanger representative told The Guardian.
‘We’ll certainly be covering the World Cup, though no production plans have been finalised yet.’
DAZN are set to broadcast matches in the expanded 32-team Club World Cup, which starts next month.
The streaming service agreed a $1billion (£787m) deal with FIFA last year to become the global rights holder. Channel 5 struck a sub-licensing deal with DAZN last month which will see the free to air broadcast show 23 matches.
Lineker had been due to stop presenting Match of the Day following Sunday’s show, before returning to present coverage of next season’s FA Cup and the summer’s World Cup.
Gary Lineker is leaving the BBC after being caught up in claims of anti-Semitism on social media. He posted a video on Instagram apologising
Lineker shared a now-deleted reel on Instagram which originated with pro-Palestine group Palestine Lobby
Lineker’s Rest is Football podcast could reportedly use footage from the Club World Cup as part of a deal with DAZN, with the potential for further coverage at next summer’s World Cup
DAZN will serve as the broadcasters for the Club World Cup, which will begin next month
The 64-year-old confirmed he would no longer front coverage for the BBC, as he apologised for ‘the error and upset that I caused’ for sharing an Instagram story about Zionism featuring a rat – an antisemitic trope used by the Nazis to characterise Jews as vermin.
His departure also spelled the end of the licensing deal for his Goalhanger podcasts, including The Rest Is Football and The Rest Is History.
The BBC announced on Wednesday that the The Rest is Football will no longer feature on their audio streaming service, with the last episode set to be on BBC Sounds this week.
Announcing his exit in a BBC statement this week, the former England footballer said: ‘Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio.
‘I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for.
‘However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.’
The BBC’s director of Sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, emailed staff minutes later and said: ‘I appreciate the last week has been difficult and emotional for many of you. Thank you for all the messages and conversations, even if some of them weren’t easy to have’.
He added: ‘It is sad to be saying goodbye to such a brilliant broadcaster and I also want to thank Gary for his years of service’.
Gary Lineker, pictured at the FA Cup final last weekend, will not present the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup as planned
Lineker returned to TV screens for the first time on Saturday to host the FA Cup final after apologising for sharing an ‘anti-Semitic’ social media post
Footballer turned presenter Gary Lineker on Match of the Day in 1999 – his first season in the role he held for 25 campaigns
BBC director general Tim Davie also agreed it is the right decision having reportedly lost patience with the BBC’s top-paid presenter.
‘Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season’, he said.
He continued: ‘Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades. His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond.
‘We want to thank him for the contribution he has made.’
Lineker also shared a video statement on his Instagram account confirming his early departure.
He said it has been ‘a pleasure and a huge privilege’ following the announcement that he will leave the BBC after this weekend’s Match Of The Day.
‘I would like once again to say I’m sorry, unreservedly, for the hurt and upset caused, it was a genuine mistake and oversight, but I should have been more diligent, I know that. I’ve stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues and against all forms of racism all of my life, including, of course, antisemitism, which I absolutely abhor. There’s no place for it and never should be’, he said.
‘So I think it’s best for all concerned that I step down from BBC presenting duties altogether and not do next season to FA Cup or World Cup, the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday will be my last show. It’s been a pleasure and a huge privilege working with the BBC for 30 years, especially hosting Match Of The Day, a programme that is so close to my heart and an integral part of my life.
‘I’d like to thank all of the quite brilliant, talented and lovely people, both in front and behind the camera that I’ve worked alongside for three decades. You’re the absolute best. The relationship with the BBC has been long and wonderful, but it’s the right time for the organisation and myself to go our separate ways.
‘Thank you also to all of you (fans) for your incredible support and love over so many years. It means the world to me. I’ll see you all on Sunday’.
