Gary Lineker will front Match of the Day for the final time on Sunday after it was announced he was leaving the BBC flagship show in March
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BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker during the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final
Gary Lineker hasn't been immune to criticism(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
Ahead of his last show presenting Match of the Day, supporters are set to be jogged with memories of a particularly awkward episode from Gary Lineker's time on screen.
That's because the BBC presenter once had a hiccup involving former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag following his FA Cup victory last season. Experiencing a trying second year at the helm of Manchester United, Ten Hag, aged 55, managed to secure an unexpected 2-1 win against Manchester City.
Found pitch-side at Wembley for the big moment was Lineker, ready to conduct a post-win interview with Ten Hag - a manager he and his punditry colleagues had often subjected to scrutiny over the course of a campaign that saw United registering an at-the-time historic low finish of eighth in the league.
During the exchange, Lineker asked if Ten Hag felt he had been "unfairly treated" by the press, mentioning "the likes of ourselves" as he motioned towards Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, and Micah Richards. Presented with those who had questioned his methods throughout the season, Ten Hag offered a terse and brusque reply.
"I think so," was the Dutchman's somewhat sharp response. He added: "The team, me as well, it was not right." This led to a slightly uncomfortable moment for Lineker and his colleagues, who are not used to such direct confrontation.
However, Ten Hag seemed more than willing to voice his grievances. Shearer tried to lighten the mood with a veiled compliment to the former United manager, explaining: "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.
"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.
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)
"Today was unbelievable." Ten Hag responded by pointing out that the team that triumphed over City at Wembley wasn't always available to him, replying: "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 role for the Premier League's climax on Sunday, presenting MOTD for the last time. It marks the conclusion of his 26-year tenure leading the flagship football programme.