Gary Lineker reveals feud with Jose Mourinho, awards snub and snarling text message - 'Something changed'

Gary Lineker reveals feud with Jose Mourinho, awards snub and snarling text message - 'Something changed'

WATCH NOW: BBC slammed for 'protecting' Gary Lineker

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 12/01/2024

- 09:17

Their rift started with a snub at a special ceremony

Gary Lineker has revealed a feud with Jose Mourinho, admitting their relationship has changed over the years.

Mourinho is currently managing Roma in Italy but has previously been in charge of Premier League sides Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.


Lineker remains a regular on the small screen, with the 63-year-old still presenting Match of the Day.

And now, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, he's revealed a feud with Mourinho for the first time.

Gary Lineker Jose Mourinho

Gary Lineker has revealed a feud with Jose Mourinho for the first time

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"I remember when he first came, he was this incredible personality, really engaging and I thought he was witty and he was funny," he said.

"I think the game has beaten him up a little over the years.

"I did a little documentary with him, he used to text me all the time, he used to text me after Match of the Day, saying 'you guys understand it, this is great.'

"We had been going along like that for two years and then something changed.

"I was asked to present him with the Man of the Year award at the GQ Awards that they do every year.

"They asked me to present the trophy and I said 'yes, I'll do that for Jose, of course.'

"Then about four days before the event, they got in touch and said 'Jose has got in touch and he doesn't want you to present the trophy to him, he wants someone that's not in football.'

"I thought 'hmmm, that's a bit odd' but I thought I'll go along to the event anyway and I went up to Jose and he kind of blanked me.

"I went 'are we ok, are we ok Jose?'

"He went 'Yeah, yeah, yeah.' But he wasn't ok and he's never been OK since."

Lineker also revealed Mourinho texted Ed Woodward after he'd spoken with the former Manchester United chief.

Woodward and Lineker are neighbours in London.

The Match of the Day host added: "I do not know to this day whether it was something I said on Match of the Day, I genuinely have no idea.

"I interviewed him subsequently and he was very cold.

"I remember doing a Champions League game which they didn't do very well in.

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Jose Mourinho

Gary Lineker has never got to the bottom of his rift with Jose Mourinho

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"I went up to the director's bit at Manchester United and I was having a drink with Ed Woodward, he's a neighbour of mine so I know him really well.

"I'm stood there having a drink and Jose comes up but then he just wandered off.

"He sent a text to Ed Woodward, 'why are you talking to him?'

"To this day, I don't know what I did!

"It is a long time ago this happened but I don't know what happened."

Ed Woodward

Gary Lineker has recalled a text Jose Mourinho sent to Ed Woodward following discussions with the former Manchester United supremo

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Mourinho was once considered charming.

But he's appeared jaded ever since managing Real Madrid in Spain.

Mourinho remains successful, however, and is still regarded as one of the best managers in football history.

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