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Gary Lineker has openly criticised the BBC’s remote World Cup coverage plans, expressed his enthusiasm for his move to Netflix in New York, and revealed that he still does not understand why Jose Mourinho ceased communication with him.
Lineker took a clear swipe at the BBC’s arrangements for this summer’s World Cup, admitting his relief at not having to work remotely from England. The broadcaster intends to run much of its coverage from its headquarters in Salford, with pundits not expected to travel to the United States until the later stages of the tournament. This decision has drawn criticism, largely attributed to cost-cutting measures.
Lineker’s New Chapter with Netflix
Lineker, who previously led the BBC’s World Cup coverage for many years, will not be part of their setup this time. Instead, he will host “The Rest is Football” podcast, which has been acquired by Netflix in a deal reportedly worth around £14 million.
Speaking at the launch of Netflix’s Sports Club, Lineker made his feelings clear regarding the change.
“I was originally going to do it for the BBC, but that didn’t happen. I would have been in Salford in a green box, and now I’ll be in New York overlooking Times Square with great guests,” he stated.
The former England striker will collaborate with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, aiming to bring a more fan-driven and direct style to their daily coverage.
“We are fans as well. We will support England, but when you care, you often criticise your team more than anyone else,” Lineker explained, pointing to his controversial comment during the European Championship when he bluntly said England “played s***.”
“If I said they played poorly, nobody would care. I said it because I cared. It was painful to watch,” he added.
Departure from BBC and Mourinho Fallout
Lineker’s move away from the BBC followed a significant controversy last year. He departed the broadcaster after backlash over an Instagram post related to Zionism, which led to accusations of antisemitism. The 64-year-old apologised and described his departure as the “responsible” decision, walking away from a salary of around £1.4 million per year.
At the same event, Lineker also spoke about his long-standing and unexplained fallout with Jose Mourinho.
“He used to message me all the time, saying he loved what I said on Match of the Day. Then it stopped. To this day, I don’t know why,” Lineker recounted. He recalled an awkward moment at an awards ceremony during Mourinho’s time at Chelsea.
“I asked him if there was a problem. He said no. I asked again, he said no. I still don’t know what happened,” Lineker stated.
Now managing Benfica, Mourinho has been linked with a return to Real Madrid, where pressure is reportedly growing after a trophyless season under Alvaro Arbeloa. Lineker believes the move is realistic.
“I think there’s a strong chance he becomes the next Real Madrid manager. The president likes him,” Lineker commented.
While the BBC faces questions over its World Cup approach, Lineker is set for a very different experience, broadcasting from the heart of New York City with a global audience on Netflix.
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