Gary Lineker pokes fun at rumours over his Match of the Day future

Gary Lineker cheekily fooled Match of the Day fans in his opening monologue as rumours continued to swirl that it would be his final appearance on the BBC flagship football show.

The presenter was earlier spotted catching a train ahead of Saturday evening's programme, which featured highlights of close-fought victories for title contenders Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as Brentford's 5-3 victory over Wolves.

This week MailOnline revealed how an email had been circulating appearing to suggest that bosses were drawing up a statement to be released announcing his departure after 25 years on the show.

And on Saturday night, Lineker poked fun at the mounting speculation over his future with an audacious opening to the much-loved programme.

He said: 'Seven matches on the way and it's my final show... before the international break.' 

Podcast All episodes

• PODCAST: Have England been playing with fear as Southgate suggests?

• LISTEN: Southgate only England manager to be criticised whilst winning

• PODCAST: The REAL reason England through despite playing badly

• PODCAST: 'Just ONE good performance' could change England's fortunes

• PODCAST: Are the England team buying into Southgate's style of play?

The message circulating purports to be from the broadcaster's director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, and appears to feature a statement announcing the former England striker's withdrawal from presenting the iconic show.

Read More

LISTEN: Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody reveals why he was so nervous to go on Soccer AM as he makes guest appearance on Soccer A-Z

It has not been possible to verify the authenticity of the email and the BBC insists that he remains contracted until the end of the season.

When MailOnline approached the BBC we were told: 'We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is on contract until the end of the season.'

It comes after boxing promoter Frank Warren slammed Lineker's views on immigration in a rant. 

The presenter was suspended from Match of the Day three days after he posted a string of anti-Tory tweets on March 7, 2023.

The former England football captain called the government's migrant crackdown 'immeasurably cruel' and likened it to Nazi Germany, which critics said breached the Beeb's strict impartiality rules.

Lineker, who is the BBC's highest paid star with earnings of £1.35million a year, later returned to his role after colleagues boycotted the flagship show in his honour. 

Warren, 72, has now lambasted Lineker's decision to outspokenly criticise the policy and insisted 'the floodgates have opened'.

The Londoner said speaking to the Telegraph: 'I don't think you should have to be ashamed about being British. 

'But if you're a white guy, over 50 years of age, you're starting to be treated as an outsider, as if you don't matter.'

Asked whether he feels like an outsider, Warren responded: 'Not particularly. I'm lucky. I'm in a business where people want free tickets.

'But I do see the issue elsewhere, and I don't think it's right.

'I didn't agree with Gary Lineker last year when he put out that tweet about the Conservatives' asylum policy, saying it was similar to 1930s Germany.

'Seriously, what the f*** are you talking about? Nazi Germany? We're allowing people in, not taking their property off them.

'We're a welcoming country. But we should be welcoming legal immigrants, making them go through the process.

'This illegal dimension is changing the dynamics around schools, housing, hospitals. It's totally unacceptable.'