Gary Lineker reveals he received a phone call two weeks ago telling him Alan Hansen’s death was going to be announced… as he reacts to the ‘amazing news’ after his former Match of the Day colleague was discharged from hospital

Gary Lineker has revealed that he received a phone call two weeks ago informing him that it would be announced that Alan Hansen had died.

Former Liverpool star Hansen, 69, who worked with Lineker on Match of the Day, was released from hospital on Sunday, two weeks after being admitted.

On June 9, it was confirmed that Hansen was seriously ill in hospital.

During that period, Lineker received a phone call stating that Hansen’s death would soon be announced and that he was “devastated” by the news.

Lineker revealed that he was told shortly afterwards that the information about Hansen was incorrect.

Hansen (right) worked on Match of the Day for twenty years, with Lineker (left) joining him as host

Speaking the Rest Is Football podcastLineker said: ‘I got a text yesterday from Janet Hansen, Alan’s wife, saying he had been discharged from hospital and gone home. I also saw that Liverpool had posted a tweet saying exactly the same thing. What great news.’

Alan Shearer, who also worked with Hansen, said it was “great news” that Hansen had been released from hospital.

Shearer said: ‘That was great, wasn’t it. You mentioned at breakfast that you had a text message, so that was a good start to the day. As usual Mr. Hansen’s timing was impeccable so he was able to go home and watch his team, but unfortunately they didn’t produce the goods for him, but good news that he is on the mend and he is back home .’

Commenting on the call he received, Lineker said: ‘I’m not going to tell you who this was, but I got a call two weeks ago at a time when we knew Alan was really struggling because someone asked me to come and talk. about the fact that it would be announced that Alan has left us.

“Really, I broke down and an hour later people were like, no, wait a minute, wait a minute, that’s not quite the case, but he got through it and it’s fantastic news. So I hope you’re listening, Al. Yes, well done. Well done mate. It’s great to have you back with us.’

Hansen played 620 games for Liverpool between 1977 and 1991, winning many trophies

In a statement on Sunday, Liverpool wrote: ‘Alan has been released from hospital today to continue his recovery at home.

‘Alan, Janet, Adam, Lucy and family would like to thank everyone for their wonderful messages of love and support.

‘It was overwhelming and helped enormously. We also greatly appreciate the continued respect shown for our privacy as Alan continues his recovery.”

Hansen played for Liverpool between 1977 and 1991, making 620 appearances for the club while winning a string of trophies.

The former Scotland international was a Match of the Day expert from 1992 to 2014.