BBC need Southgate on Match of the Day after Lineker’s criticism
The BBC want ex-England football boss Gareth Southgate to be a pundit on Match of the Day – setting up a clash with host Gary Lineker who was scathing about the Three Lions during the Euros.
BBC chiefs have high hopes there will be some entertaining ‘needle’ with the TV host, who was criticised after he described Southgate as ‘tactically inept’.
That was after a draw with Denmark, which Lineker, 63, described as ‘s***’ in a podcast.
But England battled on to lose to Spain in their second successive Euros final under Southgate, 53.
He resigned after that defeat and Lineker later denied that his criticism had been a factor in Southgate deciding to stand down.
Gary Lineker (pictured) resigned after England’s second successive Euros final defeat
Gary Lineker (pictured) was scathing about the Three Lions during the Euros
Now the BBC want to exploit the rivalry with former England captain Lineker – the Corporation’s top earner on £1.35million a year – and let them hammer out their differences on air.
A BBC source said: ‘There’s bound to be a few fireworks with the pair of them in the studio.
‘Two of England’s greatest football heroes going head-to-head every week would be unmissable telly.’
But there could be a bidding war for Southgate as ITV is also said to want him, as their Euros pundit Gary Neville returns to Sky.
Match of the Day is determined to sign up Southgate, however, as it celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Bosses think he would be a perfect replacement for ex-Arsenal star Ian Wright, 60, who left the show at the end of last season.
The BBC source said: ‘Gareth is articulate, charming and popular with audiences. People will always want to listen to what he says.’
The source added that BBC Sport executives have ‘nothing but respect’ for England’s most successful modern era manager.
There could be a bidding war for Southgate between the BBC (pictured) and ITV as their Euros pundit Gary Neville returns to Sky
If Southgate (left) and Lineker (right) were both on Match of the Day, there would undoubtedly be fireworks. A BBC source said it would be ‘unmissable telly’
Gareth Southgate (right) argues with Roy Keane (left) after Nani was sent off with a red card and Manchester United were dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in 2013. Lee Dixon (centre) watches on
Spain beat England 2-1 in the Euros finals on July 14
England manager Southgate walks past the trophy after suffering a devastating loss in Germany
Wright, a Match of the Day talking-head since 2002, quit partly because of his four-and-a-half hour commute from London to the BBC’s studios in Salford.
Southgate would have a 90-minute drive to Salford from the £4million manor house outside Harrogate he shares with wife Alison and children Mia and Flynn.
He has tried punditry before. After he was sacked by Middlesbrough in 2009, he appeared with former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane and former Arsenal full-back Lee Dixon on ITV, commenting on FA Cup and Champions League games.
