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

Wayne Rooney has reportedly signed a big-money deal to become a regular pundit on Match of the Day.

The programme is set to undergo a revamp after Gary Lineker departed the BBC’s flagship football show after more than 25 years of sitting in 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.

Joining them in the studio will be Rooney, who, according to The Sun, has agreed to a blockbuster deal worth a reported £800,000 per year.

That figure makes him one of the BBC’s highest-paid pundits – more than double the most-recent salary of Alan Shearer, who earned up to £384,999 for his appearances during the 2023/24 season. Shearer will remain a fixture on the show, alongside Chapman, Logan, Cates, and now Rooney.

Rooney is no newcomer to punditry.

The former England captain has made several guest appearances for the BBC and Sky Sports in recent years, but has leaned further into the role since his sacking as Plymouth Argyle manager on New Year’s Eve.

Now, he’s making his biggest move yet in the media world – one that will also see him join the BBC’s team for the 2026 World Cup in North America, where he’ll feature alongside the likes of Shearer, Jurgen Klinsmann, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Hart.

With Match of the Day ratings expected to take a hit following Lineker’s departure, the BBC will no doubt be hoping Rooney can be the headline act they need to steady the ship.

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