Gary Lineker shares thoughts on retiring from Match of the Day as host opens up

Gary Lineker insists he will never retire from Match of the Day, claiming he would get bored if he did not present the BBC’s flagship football programme. Lineker has fronted the Premier League highlights show and has no plans to step back. Lineker was linked with a departure from the BBC in March when he found himself momentarily suspended by the corporation after voicing his anger over the government’s immigration policy. It left many wondering who might replace the former England striker. But the 62-year-old says he has no plans to step aside any time soon. Lineker argued that he would get bored if he was not on everyone’s screens on a Saturday night. Asked if he will ever retire from Match of the Day, Lineker told The Sunday Times : ‘No, no! I’d be bored!’ Lineker also revealed that he is taking in another refugee. Two refugees have previously lived in the Lineker household and the former Barcelona and Everton player revealed he likes to show his children how those less fortunate have lived their lives. Gary Lineker will not retire from BBC Match of the Day (Image: Getty) ‘He’s being vetted, I think,’ Lineker said of the new refugee, before adding that he too, as the host, requires vetting. ‘Of course! You have to [be vetted],’ he continued. ‘[They] come to your house, make sure you’re a decent human being.’ Lineker says he remains in touch with the previous refugees. He revealed: ‘I’m still in touch with both of them, as are my boys, which has been, I think, the most positive thing. ‘They’ve been entitled – come on, they’re my kids! – they’ve had a decent life, they’ve got advantages over others. But I think it was really, really important for them to gain some kind of perspective, to hear other people’s lives that are not as pleasant as theirs.’ Lineker discussed his Match of the Day future in the week after he predicted that Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount would be a top replacement. Mount was one of three England youth internationals who took part in a mock show during the 2018 World Cup in Russia . Gary Lineker wants his kids to appreciate the lives of those less fortunate (Image: Getty)