Gary Lineker has executed a dramatic about-face on his assertion he wouldn't watch Match of the Day by now indicating he 'can't miss' it. The former England striker witnessed his lengthy tenure presenting the BBC show conclude last season amid online backlash.
The programme made its return to television screens this weekend with fresh joint presenter Mark Chapman assuming control. Despite Lineker's contentious departure, he expressed his views on the BBC show quite plainly.
He posted a clip of Match of the Day's opening sequence on his Instagram story with the message: "Can't miss Match of the Day."
Lineker's endorsement arrives soon after he implied that he would seldom watch the show on Saturday evenings.
When questioned about his opinion on the new presenting lineup featuring Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan, Lineker remarked: "I haven't seen them yet to speak to them, but I will do – they'll be fine and they'll do a great job. I've known them all for years, they're top presenters.", reports the Mirror.
"I'll be watching, but probably on iPlayer ... I don't think I'll be watching on Saturday. Maybe the odd time, if I'm in."
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After viewing the programme, Lineker would have been pleased as his successor Chapman launched the show with a quip targeting his predecessor. He declared: "The Premier League is back and Match of the Day is back.
"You may have seen and heard there's a big change to the show this season, and that is that Wayne Rooney has joined is us as a regular pundit. Some things don't change though, and Alan (Shearer) is still here."
Meanwhile, Cates has revealed that Lineker hasn't been in contact before her debut, whilst she hasn't reached out to him for guidance either.
She explained: "No he hasn't got in touch and I haven't got in touch with him, but not because we're not avoiding each other. We just don't know each other. I know Gary to say hello to, We just don't know each other that well."
What are your thoughts on the revamped Match of the Day?
"And I think Chappers was saying that Gary said: 'Well, why would I tell three broadcasters how to do their job?' which is very lovely of him because he was brilliant at the job and adored. And as much as he was a controversial character at times, any focus group that was researching will tell you how much he was adored in that role.
"So I think from my point of view, the reason not to do it would be, I don't want to be Gary. I think there's a temptation to try and be someone else, and I think that you get a job because of yourself. And if then you try to be someone else, it can all just get a bit confused.
"I don't need another thing to think about. I don't need to be sitting there thinking: 'What would Gary do? It's not a decision not to. It's just we don't have that relationship."
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