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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jake Polden

Gary Lineker admits he misses BT Sport as fans ask if he's set to make a surprise return

Gary Lineker admits he misses the team at BT Sport while watching Tuesday night's Champions League coverage for Manchester City's clash with Atletico Madrid.

Lineker hosted the Champions League show for six years before standing down at the end of last season, with his last appearance in front of the BT Sport camera coming on the final of the tournament in Porto.

Following Chelsea's 1-0 win over Man City, Lineker said: "The six years we started together, the two of you, particular thank you to you [Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole]. All the pundits have been brilliant, all of you behind the cameras, thank you so much, and back in the offices, back wherever you are, everyone's just been so helpful.

"It's been a wonderful experience and I'm going to have a lot of fun next season following Leicester around Europe. Perhaps they'll end up in a final, not the Champions League final, but maybe the Europa League final. Thanks, Rio, thanks very much. It's been an absolute delight working with you. And Joe, many congratulations for tonight, this is your night, not mine."

Lineker also took to Twitter to say goodbye, writing: "I would like to thank BT Sport for the generous renewal offer but, after much thought, I have decided to call it a day," Lineker wrote on Twitter. "I feel it's time to do things that I've always promised myself I'd do: such as follow Leicester across Europe with my sons [how many opportunities will we have?]."

During Tuesday night's show on BT Sport, which is now hosted by Jake Humphrey, Lineker admitted he is missing his old colleagues but is enjoying a night off to simply watch the coverage. "Miss these guys, but still love watching BT Sport's excellent coverage, being in this chair, chilled out with a [wine]," he tweeted.

Responding to the tweet, some of Lineker's followers have enquired as to whether the 61-year-old would consider returning to the hot seat, but he has remained tight-lipped in regards to making a comeback.

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