Gary Lineker ‘in talks’ with BBC rival over new job after controversial exit

Gary Lineker left the BBC earlier this year following a controversial anti-Semitism row, but the former Match of the Day frontman could return to screens with a different broadcaster in the near future

Gary Lineker is said to be in talks with Netflix to front US coverage of the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The 64-year-old has been out of work in the world of broadcasting since leaving the BBC in May.

However, he may not be far from screens for much longer, should talks with the big red streaming service go positively. And his The Rest Is Football co-hosts, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards could even be joining him, as per a report from The Times.

Netflix secured the live streaming rights to cover the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups across the United States. In the UK, meanwhile, the BBC and ITV will share the rights to the tournament which takes place in two years’ time.

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It comes after Lineker parted ways with the BBC earlier this year off the back of an anti-Semitism row. The former footballer had earlier shared his intentions to step down from Match of the Day at the conclusion of the 2024/25 Premier League season, although he was set to stay with the BBC for their coverage of the FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup in North America.

However, his plans changed when he received online backlash for sharing a post on Zionism featuring the illustration of a rat – a sign which has historically been used as an anti-Semitic slur. While Lineker explained that he had not seen the illustration – and that if he had, he wouldn’t have posted it – he also conceded that he should have been more vigilant.

As a result, Lineker decided that it was the right time for him to cut ties with the BBC altogether. In a statement at the time, he said: “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 anti-Semitic – 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.”

BBC Director-General, Tim Davie added: “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.

“Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades. His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for the contribution he has made.”

It comes as Lineker made the decision not to return to the Baller League for a second season last month. The presenter teamed up with Shearer and Richards to run the Deportrio club under the six-a-side banner earlier this year.

And while Lineker was spotted at London’s Copperbox Arena last month as season two of the show launched late last month, it wasn’t in a managerial capacity, instead, solely to support Shearer, Richards and Ian Wright. Speaking with talkSPORT about Lineker’s decision not to return to the managerial aspect of the tournament, Baller League CEO Felix Starck said: “We sat down and had a conversation with Gary – Does it make sense to continue or not?

“I think you have to fall in love with this project to continue because it consumes your time. It’s very time-consuming. It’s full of people who spend hours and hours [investing their time in it]. John Terry calls me every single week and complains that he’s spending so much time, but then he says it’s the best thing ever, it’s the best thing ever. I think with Gary, he has a lot on in his life; he has a very busy schedule, and if you don’t fall in love with it, you can’t be with this game. It’s really up to you.”

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