Match of the Day favourite Gary Lineker has made light of a manic week regarding his future on the show.
And colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards are also getting in on the act, with their Match of the Day futures also in doubt. Speculation abounds over Lineker’s future after an alleged email leak suggested this will be Lineker’s last season on the show, leading the BBC to release a statement insisting no decision has been made on the matter.
But the broadcaster’s favourite football trio have managed to find some levity during what’s been a tense time. And Shearer likened the recent chaos to a certain group of Liverpool stars whose current deals are also in their final stages at present.
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“We’re alright. More importantly, how are you? Me and Micah have been worried about you the last few days,” said the Newcastle great on The Rest Is Football intro. “What’s been going on? Can you tell us anything about you contract? It’s like you, [Mohamed] Salah, [Virgil] van Dijk and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] are all coming to the ends of your contracts – what’s going on? Inform us, please!”
Arne Slot is desperate to find solutions to secure the services of three of his most valuable players, who could each leave Anfield in 2025. Accompanied by a backing track of Richards cracking up, Lineker replied: “I think there is one significant difference – the Liverpool fans really care about those three!
“It’s been a strange few days. As you know, like Trent, like Virgil, like Mo, I’m coming to the end of my contract in the summer, so it’s natural at some point you have conversations, and they’ve just started. I don’t know why it all spiralled out of control, but all is okay.”
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(Image: Getty Images for Spotify)
Leicester legend Lineker went on to suggest Shearer and Richards are in a “similar predicament,” meaning they too may be hounded by the press soon. But Richards had something even more pressing on his mind.
“What’s more concerning,” said the ex-Man City defender. “I’m 4/1 to replace ya!”
Shearer could only agree and laughed as he said: “That is a f*****g massive concern by the way!” Lineker reacted much more positively and told Richards he felt he’d be “brilliant in the chair,” only for Shearer to joke he wouldn’t sign a new deal if Richards was appointed heir.
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Lineker also made light of the situation opening Saturday’s episode of Match of the Day. All too aware of the mania surrounding his future on the show, some of his first words were: “Seven games on the way, and it’s my final show… before the international break.”
The pundit has found room to jest over the situation now, but he didn’t look so lightly upon a Daily Mail journalist badgering him for answers outside his home last week. Upon being approached for comment outside his Barnes home, he swiftly told the reporter: “’F*** off, I won’t talk to you. Go away.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
