GARY Lineker has said he felt the BBC wanted him to leave Match of the Day to “change the programme”.
Lineker, 64,in May and will leave the Beeb altogether in 2026 after next season's FA Cup and World Cup.
Speaking to the BBC's Amol Rajan, the pundit was asked why he would choose to leave.
“Well, perhaps they want me to leave. There was the sense of that,” Lineker said.
“I always wanted one more contract, and I was umm-ing and ahh-ing about whether to do three years [more].
“In the end, I think there was a feeling that, because it was a new rights period, it was a chance to change the programme.
“I think it was their preference that I didn't do Match of the Day for one more year, so they could bring in new people.”
But Lineker said the new set up “suits me perfectly”.
It was announced in January he will be replaced by a consisting of Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan.
There were questions previously regarding thelegend's future and many wondered if he would sign with another channel amid intense specualtion involving Sky Sports.
However, the former hitman insisted he will not be seen on any TV rival and will instead be doing podcasts.
Lineker told FourFourTwo: “I don't think you'll see me doing much football, apart from the podcast.
“I'll do the odd thing, but I don't think you'll see me appearing regularly on another channel.”
admitted that there were talks with Sky but he was too loyal to the BBC.
Thus, the ex- star will be focusing on his esteemed Goalhanger Podcasts, which consists of shows including The Rest Is Football, which he hosts alongside MOTD pals Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, The Rest Is Politics and The Rest Is History.
Astonishingly, all 13 pods collectively achieve more than 40million downloads a month.
And according to Podwatch, who get their data from iTunes and Spotify, Goalhanger Podcasts occupy the top four spots in the UK.
Lineker added: “We've had talks with Sky at various points, but I always wanted to stick with the BBC.
“I could have earned a lot more, though I know I've been well paid anyway, obviously.
“I've had offers to go elsewhere but I just loved being with the BBC, and also how it helps everything else you do.
“It's not only the kudos, the audience is much bigger. More people still watchthan probably the biggest live game on Sundays.
“Also, I'm quite loyal. I've had the same guy cut my hair for 40 years, the same guy training me in the gym for 30 years, the same agent since I was 18...”
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