Gary Lineker pictured for first time after Match of the Day exit 'leaked' in BBC email

Former England striker Gary Lineker is in the final year of his contract as Match of the Day host and speculation is beginning to mount over his future in the role

Gary Lineker pictured for first time after Match of the Day exit 'leaked' in BBC email

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has been pictured for the first time since reports of a leaked email cast doubt on his future in the position.

Lineker is in the final year of his current contract as host of the show, which he has anchored since back in 1999. However, it has been suggested that BBC Sport chief Alex Kay-Jelski is ready to make changes.

"We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract," a BBC spokesperson said. "He is on contract until the end of the season."

The next episode of Match of the Day will air on Saturday on BBC One. And Lineker, who will continue hosting the show this season, was snapped out walking his dog in the first photos of the 63-year-old to see the light of day since reports of that leaked email broke.

Earlier in the year, Lineker spoke about his Match of the Day future in an interview with BBC Breakfast. "It depends how long they want me, I suppose," he said.

"I love doing it at the moment; I've still got another year left, at least. So we'll have to wait and see what happens. Obviously it's another change in football and television and the rights of the Premier League and stuff like that.

"All of these things will play a part. But I just feel it's been an absolute privilege to have presented it for 25 years now. I must be getting old!"

Do you want Gary Lineker to stay as Match of the Day host? Have your say in the comments section

While Lineker continues to front Match of the Day, he is not on hosting duties for the BBC's Champions League highlights show. The broadcaster won the rights to show European highlights in the latest package, but Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Jason Mohammad have shared hosting duties with Lineker absent.

Lineker has a number of other responsibilities away from his BBC hosting roles, including podcast work. However, he has shown no eagerness to leave the flagship football show.

"Match Of The Day is such an iconic show, 60 years is such a long time and I have presented it for 25 of those years," he told The Independent in August “Podcast-wise, things have really exceeded our expectations but, at the same time, I love being part of Match Of The Day. I love working for the BBC.

“I know it has its issues and it has its troubles but I think it’s brilliant. I think sometimes we don’t shout about how good we are at the BBC and what we offer.”

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