Gary Lineker Next Job Odds: What The Football Legend Could Do Next
Article By
Last Updated: 
Gary Lineker has been temporarily removed as the BBC's Match Of The Day lead presenter following his accusation of the UK government’s immigration policy is akin to 1930s Germany.
And betting sites reckon he’s in line to replace Jeremy Clarkson as presenter of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
Lineker has stoked the ire of Downing Street, the right-wing media and a swathe of Conservative MPs after he tweeted criticism of Rishi Sunak’s flagship Illegal Migration Bill.
Under the bill, anyone who arrives in the UK without going through the “proper” channels - even if they’re claiming asylum - will be immediately deported.
Ex-Tottenham and England striker Lineker is no stranger to political debate and has previously used his social media profile to take aim at government policies.
However, there is concern his comparison of Sunak’s policy to 1930s Germany leaves the BBC with little choice but to fire their long-standing presenter, due to impartiality rules at the organisation.
Lineker says he has spoken to BBC director general Tim Davie about the issue, and is determined to “continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no voice”.
He’s received support from the likes of Piers Morgan, Carol Vorderman and opposition MPs.
However, on Friday it was reported that Lineker had been stood down from his Match Of The Day duties, supposedly against his wishes.
But, thanks to hypothetical odds provided by industry experts, we’ve drawn up a list of viable next jobs for the ex-footballer, should he be let go.
And a move to ITV’s most famous quiz show is seemingly on the cards.
Gary Lineker Next Job Odds
It’s worth noting here that Lineker does more football coverage than merely anchor for MOTD.
He’s worked for the BBC for almost three decades and is the corporation’s highest-paid presenter, earning £1.35m a year.
He also works for LaLiga TV, has a number of endorsement deals, and only recently gave up presenting BT Sport’s Champions League coverage.
Should he lose his BBC gig permanently, the presenter is unlikely to be seeking a new top job for long. Here’s where the experts reckon he could go next.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Presenter
The Millionaire job is up for grabs following the confirmation ITV won’t be renewing Jeremy Clarkson’s contract after the next series airs later this year.
Audiences have reacted negatively to Clarkson’s infamous Sun article criticising Megan Markle that claimed crowds should throw “excrement” at the Duchess of Sussex, and that he hated her on a “cellular level”.
There’s no news yet on who will replace Clarkson, but ITV won’t ditch this successful show. And Lineker could be the right man to take it forwards.
Priced at Evens, specials betting sites evidently expect him to be given a call.
LBC Presenter
What famous face or ex-politician hasn’t got a gig on LBC recently?
Lineker could join the likes of Andrew Marr, Rachael Johnson, David Lammy, James O’Brien and Nick Ferrari in “Leading Britain’s Conversation”.
Nigel Farage and Katie Hopkins have previously been given air time on the station.
Lineker would probably draw a crowd and, like Marr, would be “unshackled” from the restraints of the BBC to air his views on LBC. At 2/1, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he picked up the mic there.
UN Ambassador
The right-wing tabloids like to paint Lineker as a woke lefty and so it’s unlikely Rishi Sunak will give him the job of UK ambassador to the United Nations.
What’s more, Dame Barbara Woodward currently has the role and does a pretty good job at representing the UK within the organisation.
At 3/1, this would be a big leap into frontline politics for Lineker.
NGO CEO
A more likely option for Lineker is to take up a governance role at a non-profit or a non-governmental organisation.
He’s been involved in the British Red Cross, the charity Refugees at Home, children’s cancer charity Fight For Life, and Campaign for the Arts.
Insiders give him a 20% chance of becoming the CEO of an NGO, at odds of 4/1.
Mayor of Leicester
It’s uncommon for footballers to become professional politicians.
Zico and Titi Camara have been Brazil and Guinea’s respective sports ministers, Hakan Sukur was a Turkish MP, Romario is still a Brazilian senator, and George Weah is president of Liberia.
Reaching the lofty heights of Mayor of Leicester may not, therefore, appear a big feat for someone of Lineker’s stature.
But you have to start somewhere. Sir Peter Soulsby is the current mayor, and has been reselected to stand in May’s elections.
Could Lineker go for the job? At 6/1, political betting sites certainly think it’s possible.
Labour Party MP
Gary Neville has ruled himself out of becoming a Labour MP, but could Lineker join Sir Keir Starmer’s party? Quite possibly.
Top Tory Penny Mordaunt has even accused Labour of recently “borrowing from the Gary Lineker playbook” by criticising the government’s immigration policy.
Labour bigwig Yvette Cooper said “people should say what they feel” with regards to the immigration bill, and defended Lineker’s right to express himself.
Perhaps this could one-day manifest into a job. However, at 8/1, it looks unlikely.
Walkers Crisps Group CEO
If being in the public spotlight eventually becomes too much for Lineker then he can always fall back on the crisps.
Famous in the 1990s for his Walkers adverts as much as his football, Lineker has always had an affiliation with the Leicester-based crisp producer.
Could he become Walkers CEO? Experts reckon he’s a 10/1 shot, which is about the same chance Donald Trump had of winning the 2016 US election.
Underwear Model
He got his kit off in 2016 when Leicester City won the Premier League title, and goodness me did he take the collective audience’s breath away.
At 62 years old, Lineker probably still looks buffer than most men, so why not get back into modelling?
He’s 16/1 to get a contract with an underwater company.
Leicester Manager
At odds of 20/1, Lineker is way down the list of viable alternatives to Brendan Rodgers as the next Leicester manager.
The ex-England star has never seemed interested in management, and instead has focused his post-playing career on presenting.
That’s what makes him such a smooth operator to this day, and why broadcasters pay millions of pounds for him to anchor their shows. Would he give that up to go into management?
Perhaps if Leicester - like Newcastle in 2009 when they appointed Alan Sharer - are threatened by relegation and ask Rodgers to leave then they could turn to their former striker.
England Manager
Even less likely than Lineker managing Leicester is him getting the Three Lions gig.
Granted, he is England’s fourth-highest top scorer but he has no managerial experience.
Gareth Southgate is tied up until after the 2024 Euros at least. Lineker could, if he isn’t presenting at the Euros, become part of Southgate’s coaching staff.
But even that appears unlikely and he’s 30/1 with football betting sites to manage England, replacing Southgate in the process.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
Stay In The Loop With Free Bets, Insider Tips & More!
Live Betting. Sports Promos. Sent Weekly.
Updated by
Last Updated:
