Gary Lineker confirms his future plans after MOTD exit and reveals why he snubbed Sky to stay with BBC

GARY LINEKER confirmed he will not be joining a rival broadcaster after leaving the BBC next year and will instead focus on his podcast empire.

Lineker, 64, will step down as host of Match of the Day in May after 26 stunning years on the presenter’s seat and will leave the Beeb altogether in 2026 after next season’s FA Cup and World Cup.

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Gary Lineker confirmed he will not be joining a rival broadcaster after leaving the BBC[/caption]

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Lineker is leaving the BBC next year and will focus on his podcast empire[/caption]

There were questions regarding the England legend’s future and many wondered if he would sign with another channel amid intense specualtion involving Sky Sports.

However, the Leicester great insists he will not be seen on any TV rival and will instead be doing podcasts.

Lineker told FourFourTwo: “I don’t think you’ll see me doing much football, apart from the podcast.

“I’ll do the odd thing, but I don’t think you’ll see me appearing regularly on another channel.”

Lineker admitted that there were talks with Sky but he was too loyal to the BBC.

Thus, the ex-Barcelona star will be focusing on his esteemed Goalhanger Podcasts, which consists of shows like The Rest Is Football, The Rest Is Politics and The Rest Is History.

Astonishingly, all 13 pods collectively achieve more than 40million downloads a month.

And according to Podwatch, who get their data from iTunes and Spotify, Goalhanger Podcasts occupy the top four spots in the UK.

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Lineker added: “We’ve had talks with Sky at various points, but I always wanted to stick with the BBC.

“I could have earned a lot more, though I know I’ve been well paid anyway, obviously.

“I’ve had offers to go elsewhere but I just loved being with the BBC, and also how it helps everything else you do.

“It’s not only the kudos, the audience is much bigger. More people still watch Match of the Day than probably the biggest live game on Sundays.

“Also, I’m quite loyal. I’ve had the same guy cut my hair for 40 years, the same guy training me in the gym for 30 years, the same agent since I was 18…”

Lineker will be replaced by a three-person presenting team consisted of Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan from next season.

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Mark Chapman will be among Gary Lineker’s replacements[/caption]

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