Wayne Rooney strikes mega-money deal to take on new role

Wayne Rooney has reportedly signed a big-money deal to develop into a daily pundit on Match of the Day.

The programme is ready to bear a revamp after Gary Lineker departed the BBC’s flagship soccer present after greater than 25 years of sitting within the host’s chair.

Lineker’s presenting duties will now be shared between Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates, who will rotate as hosts of Match of the Day and its Sunday counterpart, Match of the Day 2.

Becoming a member of them within the studio might be Rooney, who, in line with The Solar, has agreed to a blockbuster deal price a reported £800,000 per yr.

That determine makes him one of many BBC’s highest-paid pundits – greater than double the most-recent wage of Alan Shearer, who earned as much as £384,999 for his appearances through the 2023/24 season. Shearer will stay a fixture on the present, alongside Chapman, Logan, Cates, and now Rooney.

Rooney isn’t any newcomer to punditry.

The previous England captain has made a number of visitor appearances for the BBC and Sky Sports activities in recent times, however has leaned additional into the position since his sacking as Plymouth Argyle supervisor on New 12 months’s Eve.

Now, he’s making his greatest transfer but within the media world – one which may even see him be part of the BBC’s crew for the 2026 World Cup in North America, the place he’ll characteristic alongside the likes of Shearer, Jurgen Klinsmann, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Hart.

With Match of the Day rankings anticipated to take successful following Lineker’s departure, the BBC will little doubt be hoping Rooney could be the headline act they should regular the ship.

READ THE LATEST FASHION, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE CONTENT FROM 90MIN