Gary Lineker lands first job since Match of the Day exit in shock new role alongside former England captain

3 weeks ago 5

GARY LINEKER has landed his first job since announcing his Match of the Day exit.

The legendary England striker, 63, revealed earlier this month he will leave the iconic BBC programme at the end of the season after 25 years as host.

And just two weeks later his newest project has been unveiled as he prepares to get involved in Baller League UK.

The football tournament was launched in Germany earlier this year and includes the likes of Mats Hummels and Lukasz Podolski.

The league is made up of 12 teams consisting of six players on each side, with weekly matches taking place indoors across two 15-minute halves.

Now the trailer announcing UK and US versions has been released on social media – with a plethora of star-studded names involved.

The ad, set in an airport, features a mix of YouTubers and ex-footballers.

Lineker is joined by Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards for his segment of the video.

Lineker and Shearer are left in hysterics as Richards swandives on to the floor and rips his trousers in an attempt to beat his MOTD pals to a header.

The BBC presenter then says “Talk about bursting on the seam!” – a play-on words on Richards’ famous “bursting on to the scene” quote.

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Lineker has been named a team manager in the league – with a host of former players joining him to head up rival sides.

Shearer and Richards have also been confirmed as head coaches, along with Chelsea legend and ex-England captain John Terry – who replicates his 2012 Champions League final antics by appearing in the video in full kit.

Arsenal Invincibles trio Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires and Freddie Ljunberg will also be coaches, as will ex-Real Madrid superstar Luis Figo.

Ronaldinho is also seen at the end of the clip as he smiles on a plane in a scene with IShowSpeed – who will be the Baller League USA president.

It is unclear what Ronaldinho’s involvement will be.

KSI has been announced as the president of Baller League UK.

It is set to get underway in March next year and finish in May – with coverage being hosted by Chunkz on Twitch.

Rule changes will also take place during certain matches – including 3 vs 3 games, goals scored from the back two thirds of the pitch counting for double, and one-on-one match-ups starting behind the halfway line.

Trials for players hoping to take part in the league will be staged in London and Manchester.

They will include free agents, futsal players, academy youngsters, street ballers and retired pros.

KSI said: “I have high hopes for what this league can bring to the sport.

“We’re bringing a different style to football, a different energy to the normal and showing a different level of entertainment to the sport.

“Very exciting times ahead!”

Who could replace Gary Lineker as MOTD host?

GARY LINEKER dropped the shock news that he is QUITTING Match of the Day.

The popular presenter, 63, took over hosting duties on the flagship BBC programme from Des Lynam in 1999.

But after more than 25 years in the studio hotseat, he has called time on his MOTD gig.

But as part of a huge shake-up, the BBC is considering rotating the presenters on a weekly basis.

So with Lineker vacating the chair, new names will step into his giant boots. But who could they be?

MARK CHAPMAN

Chapman, 51, is the obvious early favourite to follow on from Lineker as MOTD presenter.

He already has the gig as MOTD2 host on a Sunday night plus landed the presenting job for the new BBC Champions League highlights show.

ALEX SCOTT

Scott gets the nod from the Beeb bosses when Lineker is away.

The former right-back, 40, is used to presenting the Saturday night show as well as live match coverage – plus ticks the box as a former England international.

GABBY LOGAN

Like Scott, Logan, 51, is one of the understudies to step in when Lineker is not available.

She has done most gigs since joining the BBC in 2007, including Olympics, Sports Personality of the Year and Final Score.

MICAH RICHARDS

Lineker’s top pick to replace him is exuberant former Man City defender Richards.

The departing host told his close pal, 36, on their Stick to Football podcast: “I’d love to see you take over Micah, I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.”

JASON MOHAMMAD

Mohammad could earn the “promotion” from Final Score to Match of the Day.

The 51-year-old Welshman – who took over from Logan in 2013 – is one of the BBC’s top earners already and is more senior than fellow Final Score and BBC Sport broadcaster Kelly Somers, who could in theory become the main live host for the afternoon slot.

JEFF STELLING

He couldn’t, could he? While Lineker has been the face of Saturday night TV for football fans for years, the face of the afternoons was Stelling in his role as Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday presenter.

He would bring plenty of on-screen charisma, wit and legendary TV expertise – but at nearly 70 and currently with talkSPORT, the Hartlepool fan would not be a cheap or long-term appointment.