Gary Lineker has said he believes the BBC forced him to leave Match of the Day.

The presenter said “there was a sense” that corporation bosses wanted to get rid of him as he negotiated a new contract last year.

Lineker also dismissed the row over his controversial social media posts as a “ridiculous overreaction”, but admitted in hindsight he wouldn’t compare the government’s asylum policy to Nazi Germany again.

Asked why he was leaving while the show’s rating was still high, he told the BBC’s Amol Rajan: “Well, perhaps they want me to leave. There was a sense of that.”

He said he had “always wanted” one more contract, but added: “I think it was their preference that I didn’t do Match of the Day for one more year so they can bring in new people.”

Hosting duties of the new-look show will be shared by Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates from the start of next season.

Lineker said the arrangement, which will see him remain the host of the BBC’s FA Cup and World Cup coverage next year, was “slightly unusual”.

He added: “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.

“But to be honest, it’s a scenario that suits me perfectly.”