Gary Lineker quits TV role as ex-MOTD host ‘didn’t fall in love’ with the show
Gary Lineker, Micah Richards and Alan Shearer teamed-up earlier this year on a brand new TV show, but the former BBC Match of the Day host will not be returning as a manager for a second season
Gary Lineker has not returned as a team manager for season two of Baller League, as a result of reportedly failing to fall in love with it. The former Match of the Day host teamed up with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards to run the Deportrio club under the banner earlier this year.
The pundits excelled in the competition, finishing the league phase of Baller League at the top of the standings, with seven wins, one loss and three draws to show for their efforts. As a result, they advanced to the finals of the tournament, alongside MVPs United – managed by Alisha Lehmann and Maya Jama – Angryginge’s Yanited and SDS FC, overseen by YouTuber, Sharky.
There, Deportrio were sent packing by the latter in the semi-finals, with Sharky’s side ultimately winning the first season of the show with a narrow 4-3 win over MVPs United. While, on the face of things, Lineker seemed engaged with the show for the duration, he has not return for the second season, which launched on Monday.
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Now, Baller League CEO Felix Starck has given his opinion on where it went wrong for the former Leicester City striker. Speaking with talkSPORT, Starck said: “We sat down and had a conversation with Gary – Does it make sense to continue or not?
“I think you have to fall in love with this project to continue because it consumes your time. It’s very time-consuming. It’s full of people who spend hours and hours [investing their time in it].
“John Terry calls me every single week and complains that he’s spending so much time, but then he says it’s the best thing ever, it’s the best thing ever. I think with Gary, he has a lot on in his life; he has a very busy schedule, and if you don’t fall in love with it, you can’t be with this game. It’s really up to you.”
While Lineker has left the club, Richards has stayed on – enlisting the help of Daniel Sturridge for season two of Baller League. Their first match came against Shearer’s new side in Wembley Rangers FC, who he co-manages alongside England legend, Ian Wright. Lineker was also in the the dugout of the latter for the match, albeit, providing support rather than in any official managerial role.
Here are the clubs taking part in season two of Baller League, as well as their respective managers:
- 26ers – managed by John Terry
- Deportrio – managed by Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge
- NDL FC – managed by Niko Omilana
- M7 FC – managed by Miniminter
- MVPs United – managed by Alisha Lehmann and Maya Jama
- N5 FC – managed by Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires and Eman SV2
- Rukkas FC – managed by Idris Elba
- SDS FC – managed by Sharky
- Clutch FC – Managed by Chloe Kelly
- VZN FC – managed by Tobi Brown
- Wembley Rangers – managed by Ian Wright and Alan Shearer
- Yanited – managed by Angry Ginge
It comes after Lineker parted ways with the BBC earlier this year, closing out an illustrious 26-year tenure. While the 64-year-old had already announced his intentions to leave Match of the Day at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season, he was set to remain with the Beeb for their FA Cup and 2026 World Cup coverage.
However, plans changed in March, when Lineker found himself caught up in an anti-Semitism row online. It came as a result of Lineker sharing a post on social media about Zionism, which included an illustration of a rat – something historically used as an anti-Semitic insult.
While he noted he hadn’t seen the image, and he wouldn’t have shared it if he had, he admitted that he should have been more vigilant. He also conceded that the best course of action was for him to cut ties with the BBC altogether.
In a statement at the time, he said: “I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for.
“However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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