As broadcasting legend Gary Lineker celebrates his 65th birthday this Sunday, one particularly sharp interview moment stands out from his distinguished career - his direct questioning of Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag immediately after the 2023 FA Cup final.
The Moment That Stunned Viewers
Following Manchester United's dramatic 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester City at Wembley, the former Match of the Day host didn't shy away from asking the difficult questions. With the trophy freshly secured, Lineker looked Ten Hag in the eye and posed a question that would later seem prophetic: "Do you think this was your last game?"
The Dutch manager's response was telling. "I don't know," Ten Hag admitted. "For me, this is a project. When I came in, we were a mess; now we are in a better state." The exchange left viewers surprised by its bluntness, coming at what should have been a moment of pure celebration for the United boss.
How Events Unfolded After The Interview
Lineker's question proved more insightful than anyone could have imagined at the time. Despite the FA Cup success, Ten Hag struggled to maintain consistency in the Premier League and was ultimately replaced by Ruben Amorim in November 2024.
United's subsequent European campaign saw them reach the Europa League final, but they ultimately fell short as Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham secured a 1-0 victory, adding to the pressure that had been building since that Wembley triumph.
Lineker's Broadcasting Evolution
Much has changed for Lineker since that tense Wembley exchange. After an impressive 26-year tenure as the main presenter of Match of the Day, the former England striker has embraced new challenges in his broadcasting career.
He now co-hosts the popular podcast The Rest is Football alongside fellow pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Lineker also briefly ventured into football management with Deportrio in the Baller League before the six-a-side indoor tournament's second season.
Television remains very much part of his portfolio, having signed a deal with ITV to host new challenge-based entertainment series The Box, described as a hybrid between I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and SAS: Who Dares Wins.
Recognition for his broadcasting excellence came in September when he ended Ant and Dec's 23-year winning streak to claim the Best TV Presenter award at the National Television Awards. Reflecting on his career shift during his acceptance speech, Lineker noted: "I'm doing great. I'm enjoying having weekends off for the first time in my adult life."
As Lineker celebrates his 65th birthday, that memorable exchange with Ten Hag serves as a perfect example of the journalistic instinct that has made him one of British broadcasting's most respected figures for over three decades.
