BBC staff at Euro 2024 ‘feel unhappy, uncomfortable and embarrassed by Gary Lineker’s criticism of Gareth Southgate – and refusal to back down’ as questions are raised over drinking wine on £1.35m-a-year star’s podcast

BBC staff are reportedly unhappy with criticism of England manager Gareth Southgate by Gary Lineker in his podcast during Euro 2024.

Lineker made headlines earlier at Euro 2024 after branding England’s performance in the 1-1 draw with Denmark ‘s***’.

The Three Lions have now secured a place in the final of the 2024 European Championship. On Sunday, Southgate’s team will play against Spain in Berlin.

The BBC star, who earns £1.35million a year from the company, made the comments on his podcast ‘The Rest is Football’, which he presents and is owned by Goalhanger, his production company.

A number of England’s star players, including Harry Kane and Declan Rice, reacted strongly to Lineker and his comments dominated the build-up to their final group match.

Lineker appeared to suggest Southgate was ‘tactically inept’ when he branded England’s performance against Denmark ‘s***’, but the Three Lions have since reached the final of the European Championship

BBC staff reportedly felt ’embarrassed’ over Lineker drinking red wine while recording episodes of his podcast

According to The TelegraphBBC staff felt “unhappy, uncomfortable and embarrassed” by Lineker’s direct criticism of Southgate in his podcast during Euro 2024.

“You can think of all kinds of words and swear words, but this was shit,” Lineker said after the draw against Denmark.

‘Was it tactically inept? They’re just a little bit tactically lost. And that’s the manager’s fault, I’m afraid. Really. He’s got to get England playing higher up the pitch, as a unit. Because at the moment they’re not a unit. Aren’t they coached to play like that?

‘He’s a great leader, he’s a great communicator, he’s changed the public opinion about the national team and the players. But tactically, the first match, and we’ve seen it in other tournaments too.

‘England start off a bit okay and then score a goal and then everything changes, and it’s almost a tactic of, get a lead, hold on to it. And the game has gone from there.’

According to The Telegraph, BBC staff felt “embarrassed” after Lineker and analyst Micah Richards were spotted on the podcast drinking glasses of red wine while analysing the match against Denmark.

Lineker’s comments dominated the build-up to England’s final group match at Euro 2024

Lineker later joked about the uproar caused by his comments during the final round of group stage matches, saying: ‘If Albania don’t win tonight, England are officially through to the last 16.’

‘Because even if they lose tomorrow, they’ll continue as one of the best teams in third place. I wish people would stop being so critical of them.’

Southgate insisted he was “unaware” of Lineker’s comments but admitted he had “the one word” the BBC pundit said in his criticism.

Lineker later claimed that journalists were “not brave enough to ask their own questions” during the tournament, after England captain Kane claimed pundits were using negative comments to “promote their own channels” because they “want the most views”.

The episode in which the experts defend themselves against Kane’s accusations has been viewed more than 540,000 times on YouTube, making it the fourth most-watched show on their channel.

Lineker’s son Harry, who produces the football podcast, revealed last month that downloads of the show had increased by 62 percent since the start of the competition, while views on YouTube had increased by 83 percent.

Lineker has just 12 months left on his £1.35million-a-year contract with the BBC.

The presenter has reportedly been rejected as host of the BBC’s new Champions League highlights programme for next season, leaving his future at Match of the Day in doubt.

The BBC signed a groundbreaking three-year deal in 2022 to broadcast highlights of European club competition from the start of the 2024–25 season, with 16 shows scheduled on Wednesday evenings from September to May.

Lineker has a year left on his BBC contract and will reportedly not present their Champions League highlights programme next season

Gabby Logan has reportedly been chosen to present the new BBC show in favour of Lineker

Gabby Logan is said to have been chosen by BBC bosses.

There was already uncertainty over whether his contract would be renewed after his suspension from Match of the Day last year, prompting several fellow analysts to strike in solidarity, causing embarrassment among senior BBC figures.

Lineker was reprimanded by the BBC in March 2023 after posting on social media that the Conservative government’s language around asylum policy was “not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 1930s”.

These comments caused much controversy and led to the BBC pulling him from Match of the Day that week. Among those protesting against this decision were Alan Shearer and Ian Wright.