Gary Lineker will present Match of the Day for the final time on Sunday, waving goodbye to a 26-year tenure presenting the BBC's flagship football highlights show
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Gary Lineker looks on
Gary Lineker hasn't been immune to criticism(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
As Gary Lineker prepares to host Match of the Day for the final time, viewers will be reminded of one of his more awkward on-air moments involving former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
Despite a challenging second season with the Red Devils, 55-year-old Ten Hag managed to secure a 2-1 win over Manchester City in last year's FA Cup final, adding another trophy to his English football collection. Lineker was present at Wembley and had the opportunity to interview Ten Hag after what could arguably be considered his most significant coaching success.
Throughout the season, Lineker and his fellow pundits had been critical of Ten Hag and United, who ended up in a then-club-record low eighth place in the Premier League. Lineker questioned Ten Hag about whether he felt "unfairly treated" by the media, including "the likes of ourselves", gesturing towards Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards.
Faced with those who had criticised him throughout the season, Ten Hag's response was brief and to the point. "I think so," he said, adding: "The team, me as well, it was not right."
This led to a slightly uncomfortable moment as Lineker and his colleagues found themselves in a more direct confrontation than they're used to. However, Ten Hag seemed quite content to voice his complaints.
Shearer tried to lighten the mood with a veiled compliment to Ten Hag, saying: "The only thing I would say to that though... you had a team out there today who showed a great attitude, great ability, won every single tackle.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Manchester United FC at London Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Erik ten Hag didn't hold back on Gary Lineker(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
"That hasn't always been the case this season though, has it? So you can understand why we do criticise sometimes. If you played like that every single week, you wouldn't have finished in eighth. Today was unbelievable."
Ten Hag replied by asserting that the squad that beat City at Wembley wasn't always available to him, responding: "We didn't have the players [due to injuries]. You're right, we've seen the same things, there was not always good football.
"Definitely not. But we had to make all the time compromises. Then you can't play the football you want to play. I'm now two years here and probably three or four times we had a full squad."
Lineker will return to his familiar surroundings for Sunday's Premier League finale as he hosts MOTD for the last time. It will signal the end of his 26-year tenure leading the flagship football programme.
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