Gary Lineker reveals how long he has left presenting Match of the Day as he says ‘they’ve been very clever’

GARY LINEKER has hinted at how long he has left as host of Match of the Day.

The England legend has been presenting the beloved show since 1999 and is a fan favourite of many across the country.

But he may not have much time left on the television screens of viewers with his contract at the BBC heading towards expiry.

In an interview with GQ, he revealed: “I’ve got two years left [contractually]. Beyond that it depends on the rights because the BBC have got to keep winning the rights to show the highlights.”

The Premier League are currently selling the rights to their coverage for future years with new broadcasters emerging as potential contenders.

But Lineker thinks that if the footballing organisation continue to give the BBC the rights to the highlights it’s only a good thing for the sport.

He said: “The Premier League have been very clever, making sure that there is a show on terrestrial television to maintain interest in the sport.

“As still over half the public don’t have Sky or TNT. So hopefully that will continue.”

The majority of all of England’s top flight football is televised between Sky Sports and TNT Sports at the moment with Amazon Prime holding the rights to a small number of fixtures.

But Match of the Day has a cult following and has been on TV screens since 1964 allowing fans to catch up with the weekend’s action.

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And if the BBC are able to renew their deal with the Premier League then Lineker could stay on as host of the show.

The 62-year-old certainly isn’t getting bored of football despite it being his life since a very young age.

He said: “I don’t [get bored of football]. It’s the one ever-present in my life.

“I had kids at a certain age; I was married for a lot of time; my parents are no longer here. Football is the one thing that’s been there the whole way through.

“And I’m not one of these old players who thinks it’s not as good as it was. It’s massively improved.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk