Gary Lineker Odds: MOTD Host Odds-On To Join LBC After Confirming BBC Exit

Gary Lineker has confirmed he will quit the BBC after fronting his final Match of the Day show on Sunday and the best betting sites have odds on what he'll do next.

The former England striker revealed in November he was planning to step down from the Premier League highlights show at the end of the current season.

The 64-year-old was due to front next season's FA Cup and World Cup coverage for the corporation, but Lineker has now confirmed that Sunday's show will be his final BBC presenting duty.

He recently came under fire for sharing an Instagram post about Zionism, that included a drawing of a rat, which has historically been an antisemitic insult.

Lineker has claimed he did not spot the emoji, and says he wouldn't have shared the message if he had seen it.

He said in a statement: "Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember - both on the pitch and in the studio.

"I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. 

"As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic - it goes against everything I stand for.

"However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action."

Gary Lineker Next Job Odds 

He also said in an Instagram video: "I think it's best for all concerned that I step down from BBC presenting duties altogether, and not do next season's FA Cup or World Cup. 

"The final day of the Premier League season, on Sunday, will be my last show. It's been a pleasure and a huge privilege working with the BBC for 30 years."

Holding back the tears, Lineker told how Match of the Day had been an "integral" part of his life, but insisted it is "the right time" for him and the BBC to "go our separate ways". 

Following his comments, there has been plenty of speculation about what Lineker will do next. 

Lineker To Lead Britain's Conversation 

The ex-Leicester City star recently hinted at his next career move, telling the BBC's Amol Rajan: "It won't be more telly". 

Gary has been outspoken about current affairs on his social media numerous times.

However, another way he could have his voice heard away from the small screen could be to join British phone-in and talk radio station LBC. 

He is 8/13 favourite on betting apps to front his own show on the station, on which he would be free to vent his own opinions away from his previous BBC shackles. 

During his recent BBC interview, Lineker admitted he is keen to branch out further in podcasts. 

He said: "I think I'll probably focus more on the podcast world. I think I'll step back from that [TV] now."

Lineker co-founded podcast production company Goalhanger Podcasts. 

The company distributes The Rest Is Football, which he co-hosts alongside his Match of the Day colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. 

With the star looking to take a step back from TV, he is just 11/10 to front a current affairs podcast next and 2/1 to become a politician. 

Lineker On CBS? 

If he does have a change of heart and fancies a return to the small screen, then one destination could be CBS Sports - Paramount's US sports programming division. 

Lineker's pal Richards works on show Soccer on CBS, alongside the likes of Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher, and it could be a perfect fit for the star. 

He is 5/2 to join the company, but he's also 3/1 to front a cooking show and 7/2 to host his own TV talk show. 

It comes after Gary made no secret of his passion for cooking on social media.

He is also passionate about fashion, and previously landed a deal with Next. 

While the star has insisted he is no Steve McQueen when it comes to his look, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he landed another fashion contract in the coming months. 

Speaking about his style in 2023, he told The Guardian newspaper: "I think I am fairly conservative. I’m not really garish - because of my age, I don’t think I could get away with it. 

"We’ve gone through years of tight jeans and now I’m so relieved they’ve gone baggy," he said.

"I feel much more comfortable and better in them. We all want to be Steve McQueen. It’s never going to happen, but we can keep trying."

Lineker also told how one of the reasons he teamed up with Next is because the company is from Leicester, like him. 

He added to the publication: "I think it’s because it’s British - from Leicester. And then they came to us with a range and I kind of liked it."

Lineker is 4/1 to land his own fashion range next, and it's double that price he returns to his roots to become Mayor of Leicester.

Gary's BBC Comeback? 

One way Gary could make a BBC return in the future would be to sign up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing. 

He is 6/1 to swap his microphone for some sequins and dancing shoes, but it's just 9/2 he heads to Australia for this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!. 

The show's co-hosts Ant and Dec are big football fans, and they've previously expressed an interest in Gary being a contestant on the ITV show. 

During an Instagram Live video in November, Ant said to viewers: "We've got to go now ... oh no, wait, there's one more suggestion it says, 'Get Gary Lineker in [the Jungle] for next year.'

"Now that's a good idea. Great suggestion. Now that he's left Match of the Day, let's get him in."

Another potential small screen return for Lineker could come about in the shape of hosting ITV's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, which is priced at 5/1.

If current presenter Jeremy Clarkson becomes too busy with his Diddly Squat Farm and new pub, The Farmer's Dog, then Gary could be an ideal replacement. 

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.