The BBC’s best-paid star Gary Lineker has fuelled speak that Euro 2024 often is the final match he presents for the company.
The previous England captain has courted controversy this summer time by sporting his personal clothes model on-air and likewise with sweary criticism of the Three Lions, particularly present skipper Harry Kane.
He additionally devoted time on his The Relaxation Is Soccer podcast to joking a few lengthy boozy lunch with fellow ex-England skipper Wayne Rooney which left him ‘groggy’.
And after a time without work presenting duties on Sunday, he then didn’t seem on a follow-up podcast yesterday afternoon for what Alan Shearer referred to as a ‘energy nap’.
Media insiders now consider the present Euros often is the final match as BBC host for the person paid £1.35million a 12 months by the broadcaster.
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Reviews have steered the present Euros might be the final match Gary Lineker presents for the BBC – – he’s seen right here final evening’s protection of the match between Croatia and Italy
Lineker presents the podcast The Relaxation Is Soccer with Alan Shearer (second left) and Micah Richards (proper) – and has revealed he loved a boozy lunch with Wayne Rooney (second proper)
Lineker’s firm Goalhanger produces podcasts together with his personal The Relaxation Is Soccer
The industrial The Relaxation Is Soccer podcast is produced by Lineker’s firm Goalhanger however options his common BBC colleagues Shearer and Micah Richards.
Listeners have highlighted the extra outspoken tone being adopted by Lineker and the others this summer time – together with his criticism of England’s efficiency towards Denmark of their 1-1 draw final Thursday as ‘s***’.
And a sports activities producer has now informed the Instances: ‘It’s much more frank and sweary – and in that format Lineker is extra capable of voice his opinion.
‘Plus I feel he is aware of that that is his final match and he doesn’t give a f***.’
Each the BBC and representatives for Lineker declined to remark.
His present contract with the company lasts till subsequent 12 months.
He and Shearer blamed the media for his or her obvious dispute with Kane, of their instalment of his podcast launched yesterday morning – earlier than Lineker was absent from a second episode later that day.
Lineker informed within the morning version of feeling ‘groggy’ after the day gone by’s session with Rooney, having been given the time without work by the BBC as Gabby Logan introduced Euros protection.
He informed Shearer and Richards: ‘I used to be given Sunday off as a result of Gabby was doing it. I went out with the producers right here for lunch – we had a few drinks.
Lineker, seen after scoring for England of their 1990 World Cup semi-final towards West Germany, is paid £1.35million a 12 months as a BBC presenter – the company’s highest earner
Lineker has used his podcast to defend calling England’s show towards Denmark ‘s***’
‘We had a late lunch then we ran into Wayne Rooney who was having lunch with Gary Neville, then Gary Neville left and Dion Dublin arrived with two of his Brummie associates who had been nice – and for instance lunch went on into the evening.’
Shearer responded by saying: ‘I’ve missed out on a great afternoon, then, after I was working – somebody’s started working, lads.’
Lineker admitted: ‘I am a little bit bit croaky and a tad groggy this morning.’
Shearer then informed listeners to the later podcast: ‘No Gary Lineker, because the previous man wants his little naps within the afternoon – a little bit energy nap for the previous man Lineker.’
Lineker, Shearer and Rio Ferdinand had been among the many ex-players who condemned England’s efficiency within the Denmark draw of their roles as BBC TV pundits.
Lineker, specifically, hit the headlines as he branded the efficiency ‘s***’.
Kane hit again at a information convention on Sunday, saying: ‘I’d by no means need to be disrespectful to any participant, particularly a participant who has worn the shirt and is aware of what it’s prefer to play for England.
The England captain additionally steered an ulterior motive behind among the detrimental response, with members of the media utilizing it to ‘promote their very own channels’ as a result of they ‘need probably the most views’.
In yesterday’s podcast Lineker stood by his criticism of England and insisted that the journalist who put his feedback to the crew would have had the identical analysis of their efficiency.
Harry Kane hit again at Lineker’s feedback forward of England’s ultimate group stage fixture
Kane, Jude Bellingham and John Stones had been the gamers criticised after the 1-1 draw
He mentioned: ‘Made the headlines once more, have not I – journalists being what journalists are.
‘They could be a bit tough on this stuff making an attempt to wind up our footballers. We have been clearly crucial of England’s efficiency as has just about each journalist.
‘I assure whoever requested that might have most likely been crucial himself.’
Lineker added that he needs nothing greater than to see England carry out on the highest stage attainable in Germany.
He mentioned: ‘Think about we had gone on and mentioned they’d performed effectively – we would be mendacity. They did not play effectively and Harry is aware of that.’
