Gary Lineker made a lively return to the Copper Box Arena as the new Baller League season got underway — despite stepping down from his managerial duties ahead of the competition’s second campaign.
The former England striker was back in the stands to support his old side, Deportrio, now led by Match of the Day pundit Micah Richards and ex-Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge.
Lineker, who shared the Deportrio dugout last season with Richards and Alan Shearer, appeared in good spirits as he watched his former colleagues face off.
Richards remained with Deportrio, while Shearer has joined forces with Ian Wright at Wembley Rangers.
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The two sides met on opening night, with Wright and Shearer’s team claiming a 3–2 victory in a spirited clash.
Explaining his decision to sit in Shearer’s dugout rather than alongside Richards, Lineker quipped that the choice was a matter of self-preservation.
“I didn’t want to upset anyone, but I just can’t cope with Micah’s enthusiasm,” he joked.
Gary Lineker made a lively return to the Copper Box Arena as the new Baller League season got underway — despite stepping down from his managerial duties ahead of the competition’s second campaign
|GETTY
“He’s too demonstrative on the touchline, so I thought I’d take a quieter seat. But Wrighty gets pretty excitable too!
“I’ve stuck with the old boys — they’ve got plenty of time on their side. Maybe I’ve picked the winning team, and that’s what you’ve got to do, isn’t it?”
Baller League CEO Felix Starck had spoke earlier this week about Lineker’s decision to step down before the second season, saying the move was based on time and commitment rather than any dissatisfaction.
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Gary Lineker pictured on the Baller League touchline last season
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“We sat down and had a conversation with Gary — does it make sense to continue or not?” Starck told talkSPORT.
“You really have to fall in love with this project because it consumes so much time. Everyone involved invests hours and hours.
“John Terry calls me every week to complain about how time-consuming it is, but then he always says it’s the best thing ever.
The Baller League's second season has just commenced
| PA“Gary has a very busy life, and if you can’t fully commit, it’s difficult to stay involved. It’s really up to each person to decide whether they’re all in.”
Meanwhile, when asked what advice he would give Richards and Sturridge should they face defeat, Lineker replied with humour.
“Own it, live with it, deal with it and move on to the next game. It’s humiliation, really, isn’t it?”
At that stage of the match, Deportrio trailed 3–1 before pulling one back late on, though the comeback fell short.
Former Everton striker Oumar Niasse was on the scoresheet, while ex-Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland also featured.
Across the league, other former professionals including John Bostock have joined the competition, with Bostock scoring a free-kick for Yanited in their loss to John Terry’s 26ers.
The Baller League, now in its second year, has become a unique blend of celebrity management and competitive football, drawing large audiences both in person and online.