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      ‘You never gave it to me’ – Gary Lineker reveals why he refused to give young ballboy Pep Guardiola his Barcelona shirt

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      GARY LINEKER has revealed how he left Pep Guardiola with a long-term bone to pick with him, and why it happened.Speaking on Match of the Day Top 10 alongside Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, Lineker recalled when he first went to interview Guardiola after he had joined Manchester City.Gary Lineker recalled how he left Pep Guardiola with a bone to pickCredit: X @BBCMOTDGuardiola asked him why he had refused to give him his shirt for all those years at BarcelonaCredit: GettyLineker played for Barcelona from 1986 to 1989 when Guardiola was still a ballboyCredit: Getty Images – GettyBut before they started, Guardiola wanted to ask the former England ace why he refused to give him his shirt despite asking many times.Lineker, 64, explained: “When he joined Manchester City, I went to do an interview with the BBC.”And he went, ‘Before we start, I was a ballboy at Barcelona when you played, when you were there.'”And he said, ‘At the end of every game I’d come to you and I said can I have your shirt? You never gave it to me.’READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”And I felt bad about it.”Lineker continued: “I did explain to him, I said, ‘Pep it wasn’t like it is now. In those days we only had one shirt. We weren’t allowed to give it away.'”Asked by Richards whether he could have bought a shirt to solve the issue, Lineker said: “I didn’t earn what you lot earned.”The comment sparked laughter from Richards and Shearer.Most read in FootballLineker starred for Barcelona from 1986 to 1989, scoring 52 goals in 138 games and winning two trophies, the Copa del Rey in 1988 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1989.City boss Guardiola, 54, came through the club’s world-renowned La Masia academy and went on to play 382 times for his boyhood club.Erling Haaland’s season all-but over as Pep Guardiola confirms extent of Man City star striker’s injury He was playing for the Barcelona C and B by the time Lineker left the club before making his debut in 1990 under Johan Cruyff and becoming a regular in the 1991/92 season.Guardiola eventually went on to manage the club after hanging up his boots, coaching arguably the greatest football team of all time spearheaded by Lionel Messi to unrivalled success.The Spaniard left in 2012 before joining Bayern Munich in 2013, where he stayed until 2016.He then joined City in 2016 and has gone on to dominate English football in the years since his arrival. More

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      Gary Lineker confirms his future plans after MOTD exit and reveals why he snubbed Sky to stay with BBC

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      GARY LINEKER confirmed he will not be joining a rival broadcaster after leaving the BBC next year and will instead focus on his podcast empire.Lineker, 64, will step down as host of Match of the Day in May after 26 years in the presenter’s seat and will leave the Beeb altogether in 2026 after next season’s FA Cup and World Cup.Gary Lineker confirmed he will not be joining a rival broadcaster after leaving the BBCCredit: PALineker is leaving the BBC next year and will focus on his podcast empireCredit: GettyThere were questions regarding the England legend’s future and many wondered if he would sign with another channel amid intense specualtion involving Sky Sports.However, the former hitman insists he will not be seen on any TV rival and will instead be doing podcasts.Lineker told FourFourTwo: “I don’t think you’ll see me doing much football, apart from the podcast.”I’ll do the odd thing, but I don’t think you’ll see me appearing regularly on another channel.”Read More on FootballLineker admitted that there were talks with Sky but he was too loyal to the BBC.Thus, the ex-Barcelona star will be focusing on his esteemed Goalhanger Podcasts, which consists of shows including The Rest Is Football, which he hosts alongside MOTD pals Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, The Rest Is Politics and The Rest Is History.Astonishingly, all 13 pods collectively achieve more than 40million downloads a month.And according to Podwatch, who get their data from iTunes and Spotify, Goalhanger Podcasts occupy the top four spots in the UK.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLineker added: “We’ve had talks with Sky at various points, but I always wanted to stick with the BBC.”I could have earned a lot more, though I know I’ve been well paid anyway, obviously.Gary Lineker blames Sir Alex Ferguson for Man Utd’s decline as he points to ‘state’ club left in”I’ve had offers to go elsewhere but I just loved being with the BBC, and also how it helps everything else you do.”It’s not only the kudos, the audience is much bigger. More people still watch Match of the Day than probably the biggest live game on Sundays.”Also, I’m quite loyal. I’ve had the same guy cut my hair for 40 years, the same guy training me in the gym for 30 years, the same agent since I was 18…”Lineker will be replaced by a three-person presenting team consisted of Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan from next season.Mark Chapman will be among Gary Lineker’s replacementsCredit: PAChapman will be joined by TV star Gabhy LoganCredit: PAKelly Cates will complete the three-person presenting teamCredit: PA More

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      Becoming Match of the Day host was like finding out I was PREGNANT, says Kelly Cates as she reveals how she landed job

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      WHEN Kelly Cates was told she and Gabby Logan would become the first female Match Of The Day hosts in the show’s 60-year history, she wanted to shout it from the rooftops. But unfortunately for the new presenter, she was ordered by BBC bosses to keep quiet about her new role — a scenario which felt ­familiar to the mum of two. Kelly Cates wanted to shout with joy after making history as one of Match Of The Day’s first female hosts – but the BBC told her she’d need to keep it quietCredit: RexThe appointment of Kelly, who is the daughter of Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland great Kenny Dalglish, above, was widely welcomed by the football worldCredit: AlamyKelly will be joining Mark ‘Chappers’ Chapman and Gaby Roslin as the lead MOTD presenter teamCredit: PABecause, for Kelly, sitting on the enormous secret felt just like ­hiding a pregnancy. Speaking in depth for the first time about taking over from Gary Lineker next season, Kelly, 49, said: “I’m not good at secrets — it killed me! Genuinely, once the news was announced I could have slept for two days. “I found the stress of ­keeping it a secret so hard and even though it is a nice secret, it was a little bit like the early stages of pregnancy where you feel terrible that you can’t tell anybody. “It was awful lying to genuinely good friends. I hated it.” READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSKelly will be part of a new three-strong presenting team, alongside Gabby and Mark Chapman, both 51. And she is thrilled she can now share how she managed to land the biggest job in British sports broadcasting. An industry veteran of nearly 30 years, Kelly had been working for the BBC as part of 5 Live’s football coverage, as well as anchoring live games for Sky Sports, when she was called into a meeting by Beeb executives. ‘Ego-filled world’ It had been rumoured for some time that new BBC Director of Sport boss Alex Kay-Jelski wanted to shake up Match Of The Day, the world’s longest-running football highlights show. Most read in FootballBut Kelly had not bargained for being a part of his plans. Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, she explains: “I had the conversation early on but in very vague terms. ‘Won’t be able to look him in the eye’ – Christine Lampard and MOTD’s Kelly Cates in hysterics over ‘Frank’s hot sauce’“I was already doing radio for the BBC, already working on 5 Live so it was natural for me to have meetings when a new boss came in, and everything was being changed so that was quite natural. “But in the course of one of those meetings it was, ‘Well, we’re rethinking how we’re going to do Match Of The Day and would you be interested to be in the mix?’ Inside I couldn’t wait for the meeting to end so I could shout ‘Oh my God! This is incredible’Kelly Cates“And I was trying really hard to keep a ‘not bothered’ face, saying, ‘Yeah, that would be great’. “But inside I couldn’t wait for the meeting to end so I could shout ‘Oh my God! This is incredible’.” Kelly added: “And they were brilliant around the whole thing — trying to balance the two and the fact I can keep doing live football, which I think is really important because if you don’t do that you forget why you’re covering it, you forget about those big moments and what it is like.” It was only when Kelly’s new gig was officially unveiled in January that the enormity began to sink in. She added: “Suddenly friends of mine who don’t even like football were phoning me saying, ‘Oh my God, this is so exciting — congratulations’. I didn’t even think it would be on their radar. “They’re not in that sports world and then you realise something like Match Of The Day goes past all of that. It’s in people’s lives — it’s in the background.” The appointment of Kelly, who is the daughter of Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland great Kenny Dalglish, along with Gabby and Mark — aka Chappers — was widely welcomed by the football world. All three are hugely respected figures within the industry and there was a general consensus they had done their time, working up the ranks and honing their craft over several decades. Kelly believes landing the gig came at the perfect time for all of the new line-up. She explains: “That was the big draw for the three of us. Kenny with wife Marina, Kelly and brother Paul in 1980Credit: Getty“To be in the mix with Chappers and Gabby, who I really like as people, first of all, but really admire as broadcasters as well . . . it’s just a really lovely group to be in. “People have this perception that it is a massive ego-filled world, and it is at times and you need a certain sort of ego to feel like you can do the job because you need a certain amount of confidence. “But you don’t want to be in a position where we’re all trying to scramble over each other. “The fact we’re all the same age, we’re at the same stage of our careers, we’ve all got other things outside of Match Of The Day that we’re all passionate about and really invested in, it means none of us are treading on each other and preying on each other’s insecurities. “We’re all really comfortable about who we are and where we are in our careers, so it really works for all of us. “We’re all at a stage in our lives as well where we want to spend time with our families. “We have kids of different ages and different things going on in our home lives as well. “It’s really nice to be able to keep all that in the mix.” Kelly’s grounding in sports broadcasting came in the early days of Sky Sports News, a rolling news channel launched in 2010. ‘Kicked up a fuss’ The female-heavy list of anchors, including Kirsty Gallacher, who is godmother to one of Kelly’s daughters, became synonymous with the channel. However, the presenters were often sexualised by viewers and when that attitude seeped into the brand marketing, Kelly was the one who put a stop to it. Don’t start undermining us from inside the organisation because we can take it from other people — we’re used to that — but we thought you had our backs here, that’s the way it should beKelly on sexualisation of female sports presentersThe star has always taken her position as a role model for women in sport seriously. She explained: “It was seen as ‘fruit on the barrow’, where you would put your juiciest fruit on the barrow — there was that attitude to it. “But we didn’t feel like that from the inside. That was very much an external thing. “Then I remember there was an ad put out with four female Sky Sports News presenters on, saying ‘There’s always something worth watching on Sky Sports News’. “I remember it happened on the Sunday and I think by the Tuesday or Wednesday I’d gone into the office and said, ‘No. I get that this comes from the outside but don’t do that to us from the inside’. “Don’t start undermining us from inside the organisation because we can take it from other people — we’re used to that — but we thought you had our backs here, that’s the way it should be’.” She added: “The reaction was they didn’t think I would be the person who came in and kicked up a fuss. “I was like, ‘That says something. If you think I’m easy-going and it upset me then you should probably read something into that’.” Kelly took an extended break from sports broadcasting to concentrate on bringing up her children. She returned to work in 2013 at Radio 5 Live where she hosted the station’s famous 606 football phone-in on Sundays alongside ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright. She later returned to Sky Sports to anchor live games and previously made history as the first female presenter on talkSPORT. Glasgow-born Kelly, whose brother Paul was a professional footballer for Newcastle, is now separated from Tom Cates, the father of her two daughters. Like most working mums, Kelly admits taking care of her career and their teenage daughters can be challenging. She added: “It’s juggling lots of diaries, and I’ve got a really good relationship with my ex-husband. “He’s great with the girls in terms of being flexible because we have to be around my job. “You just make it work. I’m really lucky — I have a great job. “People do this and work three jobs and are stressed about putting food on the table and heating the house. “Although it’s tricky to do everything and all problems are relative, it’s manageable.” READ MORE SUN STORIESSaturday nights are about to get a whole lot busier for Kelly. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Kelly will be one of the team taking over when Gary Lineker leaves MOTD at the end of the current seasonCredit: BBC More

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      ‘What’s the point?’ – BBC staff raging as major shake-up sees TACTICS correspondent job offered after huge redundancies

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      BBC SPORT are set to hire a “Football Correspondent (Tactics)” as part of a shake-up across the department.The Beeb have made redundancies in order to create 27 new roles.BBC Sport is set to undergo big changesCredit: GettyThe BBC’s director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, formerly of The Times and The Athletic, is looking to freshen up their coverage.According to the Mail, the new tactics role has “raised eyebrows” among Beeb staffers.The Mail were told by an insider: “What’s the point of having all these people who have played the game at the highest level to then bring in a journalist who will presumably never have kicked a ball professionally to spout off about how the likes of Pep Guardiola should be setting up their teams?”Beeb staffers were recently told about the huge shake-up.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA meeting then took place at Gary Neville’s Hotel Football to talk through the impending changes.Present at the meeting was Match of the Day’s star pundit Alan Shearer.The former Newcastle striker reportedly stressed the importance of experts providing “accurate” analysis.BBC bosses are shifting the focus of their sports coverage from broadcast to digital.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThis has seen them decide to axe their Sportsday programme.Gary Lineker announced earlier this season that he will depart Match of the Day at the end of the season.’Nobody wants to throw the baby out with the bath water’ – Gabby Logan’s bizarre hint about new-look Match of the DaySpeaking on The Rest is Football, Lineker explained: “It has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end.”It came at a point where really the BBC and Match Of The Day, they’ve got the rights for another three years.”The cycle starts from next season so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird. I feel this is now the right time.”I think the next contract they’re looking to do Match Of The Day slightly differently.”Lineker added: “So I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.”The former England forward, 64, will be replaced by Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates on rotation.Gary Lineker is set to step down as MOTD hostCredit: PA More

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      ‘Thought it was the end’ – New MOTD host Gabby Logan reveals how she thought career was over before landing new BBC job

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      GABBY LOGAN has revealed that she nearly quit TV presenting in 2006.The popular presenter, 51, was confirmed as one of three new Match of the Day hosts earlier this year.Gabby Logan is one of the BBC’s top presentersCredit: AlamyLogan will rotate with Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman on Match of the Day next seasonCredit: PALogan’s career is going from strength to strength, as she also presents coverage of the Six Nations for the Beeb as well as Champions League football on Amazon Prime Video.Things could have been very different for the BBC stalwart, however, as she considered quitting the industry following a scathing comment from her former boss at ITV.Logan covered the 2006 World Cup for the broadcaster and had been due to present coverage of England games as well as several big knockout matches.Reliving that summer while appearing on Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time podcast, Logan admitted: “I think I had a rough ride in my early thirties in my career, and I can’t believe that’s nearly 20 years ago.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”At the time, I thought it was going to be the end of my career.”Logan, who left ITV for the BBC later in 2006, then added: “When I was leaving ITV and given another chance by the BBC… because even in my early 30s, I felt I’d already had this really long career and I’d done loads of great stuff.”I’d been at Sky to start off with and went to ITV and did loads of brilliant things.”But I kind of felt I was maybe going to have to shift and do something completely different, because I had a boss that wasn’t really into me and wanted to slightly demote me. He took me off a World Cup in 2006.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSLogan previously presented for ITVCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe popular presenter worked on London 2012 with the BeebCredit: HandoutOpening up further on what happened, she continued: “My kids were a year old and I was flying off to Germany, leaving my babies behind, going to the World Cup.”In the middle of the World Cup, he kind of sidelined me, and I came home with my tail between my legs.’New MOTD host’ Gabby Logan’s live TV interview with Liverpool boss Arne Slot ends awkwardly “I was due to do so many knockout games and he said, ‘oh, just don’t come back’ basically. Go home and don’t come back because I was due to go home for a few days.”In between the end of the group stages and the knockout stages, there’s always a couple of days off and I was going to go home because it was only Germany and the kids were a year old.”The setback even caused Logan to consider her entire future in the industry.She admitted: “I remember being at home – we were doing up a house at the time, so we were renting a house in Barnes. It was a lovely day, it was gorgeous and the river was looking beautiful and the sky was blue.I was really contemplating what to do nextGabby Logan”I just remember walking around the garden thinking ‘oh gosh, I love doing up houses, I’m just going to shift and go into property because that’s what my mum does’.”I was maybe 33 at the time and I thought maybe my law degree wasn’t out of date and I could upgrade and go to bar school. I was really contemplating what to do next.”Since joining the BBC, Logan has never looked back.Having previously covered for Lineker on Match of the Day, she will now present the programme regularly in rotation with Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman.Logan also presented at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris, having worked on several major football tournaments, the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the London Marathon.READ MORE SUN STORIESOn moving to the BBC, she reflected: “There was a lot of that to deal with, and I think it definitely fortified me.”Once I got that second chance, as I saw it at the time – somewhere that I’d always hoped I might work because of the BBC having the long history with doing the Olympics and various other things that I really wanted to work on – I felt really grateful, and also that I was going to not let this opportunity go.”Logan presents coverage of the Champions League on Amazon Prime VideoCredit: Getty More

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      BBC Sport make major change to when Premier League highlights will be shown in move that will impact Match of the Day

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      THE BBC will show Premier League highlights much earlier on Saturday nights – amid a shake-up of their weekend football coverage.Presenters like Alan Shearer, Joe Hart and Alex Scott were among 200 people at a summit at Gary Neville’s Hotel Football to discuss changes.Gary Lineker is departing MOTD at the end of the seasonCredit: ReutersAlex Scott is one of three presenters replacing LinekerCredit: GettyThe Mail say from next season a new TV deal means highlights and analysis from Saturday action will be available from 8pm online and via the iPlayer.Flagship show Match of the Day will escape much of the Beeb’s revamp – apart from the long-known exit of Gary Lineker as host after 26 years.Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will instead share the MOTD helm from 2025-26.It’s understood the hotel meeting heard the programme will stick to its tried and tested format of highlights and pundits’ assessments.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNonetheless, BBC chairman Samir Shah has hinted that won’t last for too much longer.The Manchester United fan told the Times MOTD “should not be built around highlights”.Shah added: “It should be built around analysis and examination of the match to give viewers a deeper insight.” But Saturday lunchtime programme Football Focus WILL get an overhaul next term.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThe hotel summit, headed by BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, was told the pre-match show would get a sharper edge.That includes players facing tougher interviews, with more sparring between pundits and fewer softer features.’I don’t like it’ – Gary Lineker has wild reaction after spotting ex-Match of the Day star at Baller League launchThe announcements came a day after the BBC offered voluntary redundancy to most of the staff in their sports department.That’s seen as part of a move towards focusing more on online output. More

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      Forgotten Premier League star, 36, picked in new Baller League draft to play under Lineker, Shearer and Richards

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      GARY LINEKER has selected a forgotten Prem star to play in his new Baller League team. The Match of the Day host takes charge of ‘Deportrio’ in the tournament alongside his Beeb colleagues Micah Richards and Alan Shearer.Gary Lineker has selected a forgotten Premier League star for his Baller League teamCredit: APAlan Shearer has joined Lineker in the venture alongside MOTD pundit Micah RichardsCredit: PALineker, 64, joined Richards and Shearer at the Baller League Draft on Monday night.The new six-a-side league kicks off later this month, with twelve star-studded teams entered in total. A host of former pros and A-listers from the social media world attended the glittering event at London’s Copper Box Arena.Ian Wright and Luis Figo are among the other captains, along with reality TV presenter Maya Jama.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLLineker’s team were handed the seventh overall pick in the draft. And the trio opted to go for former Wolves, Crystal Palace and West Brom star Bakary Sako. The 36-year-old played over 100 times for Wolves before joining Palace in 2015. He spent three seasons in the top-flight at Selhurst Park, scoring 8 times in 50 games. Most read in FootballBakary Sako will play for Gary Lineker’s team in the Ballers LeagueCredit: GettyCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsSako left for the Baggies in 2018 but returned to Palace for another stint a year later.He has since played for clubs in Cyprus, France and Greece. Baller League lands major UK broadcast deal ahead of draft with star-studded competition to be shown on TV The Ballers League has proved a huge hit in Germany. The UK version will feature 12 teams – each with 12 players -competing in 15-minute halves. In the final three minutes, the match transforms into a quickfire three-a-side format, with goalkeepers unable to use their hands. Over 160 players were available in Monday’s draft, with matches to be shown live on Sky Sports from March 24.Baller League CEO, Felix Starck explained: “Baller League is a brand new way to consume football.”We’re redefining how the game is played by bringing an exhilarating and authentic approach to football, and one that will appeal to current fans along with future generations.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Baller League is all about forward-thinking, aggressive, hyper-exciting football.”We’re about creating a version of the game that’s impossible to ignore – thrilling, bold and packed with excitement.”What are the Baller League rule?THE Baller League promises to be “excitingBut what are the rules?Matches will be played in a six-a-side format on an smaller indoor pitch.Each half set to last 15 minutes.Shock rule twists to be introduced for the final three minutes of each half including a three vs three format, long-range goals counting as double, and goalkeepers not allowed to use their hands.These rule twists for the final three minutes will be randomised.MLS style one-vs-one penalties to be used.12 teams in the league with the top four going through to the playoffs.League set to start in March 2025, with the final four play-off in May to crown the winner. More

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      ‘I don’t like it’ – Gary Lineker has wild reaction after spotting ex-Match of the Day star at Baller League launch

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      GARY LINEKER has been accused of being too friendly with his Baller League opposition – before a ball has even been kicked. The England legend, 64, attended the Baller League UK draft on Monday alongside a host of familiar faces. Gary Lineker went rogue at the Baller League UK Draft in LondonCredit: PAThe Match of the Day host (left) ditched fellow managers Alan Shearer (centre) and Micah Richards (right)Credit: YouTube/Baller League UKLineker raced over to give former MOTD colleague Ian Wright – a rival in the league – a massive hugCredit: YouTube/Baller League UKLineker was joined by stars including Luis Figo, John Terry and Robert Pires ahead of the upcoming six-a-side tournament. The Match of the Day host is managing a team in the tournament alongside his BBC colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Host Olivia Buzaglo introduced the three former players to the crowd, as they debuted their team ‘Deportrio’,As they walked out past the other managers, Lineker spotted his former MOTD mate Ian Wright. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe England legend had a wild reaction as he immediately ditched Shearer and Richards to sprint over to Wright, before giving him a huge hug.Buzaglo was joined by influencers KSI and Chunkz to introduce the teams.And Chunkz was not impressed by Lineker failing to put on his gameface. He complained: “I don’t like the niceties, you know? They’re getting too friendly there.”Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsA laughing Buzaglo added: “Too friendly aren’t they.”Chunkz added: “I don’t like it.”Baller League lands major UK broadcast deal ahead of draft with star-studded competition to be shown on TV The Baller League saw immense success in Germany and will launch in the UK on March 24. Former pros, social media stars, and free agents are all invited to tonight’s draft in the capital. 12 teams in total are entering the competition, with six matches being held weekly before the playoffs. Baller League CEO, Felix Starck explained: “Baller League is a brand new way to consume football. “We’re redefining how the game is played by bringing an exhilarating and authentic approach to football, and one that will appeal to current fans along with future generations. “Baller League is all about forward-thinking, aggressive, hyper-exciting football. “We’re about creating a version of the game that’s impossible to ignore – thrilling, bold and packed with excitement.”What are the Baller League rule?THE Baller League promises to be “excitingBut what are the rules?Matches will be played in a six-a-side format on an smaller indoor pitch.Each half set to last 15 minutes.Shock rule twists to be introduced for the final three minutes of each half including a three vs three format, long-range goals counting as double, and goalkeepers not allowed to use their hands.These rule twists for the final three minutes will be randomised.MLS style one-vs-one penalties to be used.12 teams in the league with the top four going through to the playoffs.League set to start in March 2025, with the final four play-off in May to crown the winner. More