16 November 2023 , 14:49
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Alan Shearer has jokingly called Gary Lineker a "f****** idiot" for snubbing Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United.
The Match of the Day host was a talented forward during his career - scoring regularly for the likes of Everton, Tottenham and Barcelona while also being the most prolific English marksman of his era. Those exploits attracted the attention of those at Old Trafford.
His decision to refuse a transfer during the 1980s, before Ferguson arrived, was an easier call. But doing so again when the Scot was beginning to build momentum and create a team that would dominate domestically was much harder and would've seen him win numerous trophies.
Lineker told The Rest is Football podcast: "I had two opportunities to join them, once when Ron Atkinson was manager but I went to Everton instead. You’ve got to remember, Man United weren’t that dominant in those days.
"The second time was when I went to Spurs when Sir Alex was in charge, but it was still a good three or four years before he started to have any success. They also gave me a lovely send-off in my last-ever game in English football, so I’d perhaps say Manchester United."
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Upon hearing it his BBC colleague Shearer, who also said no to Ferguson, joked: "You turned Sir Alex down? You f****** idiot! What idiot does that?" Lineker then sarcastically responded: "I can’t think of anyone, Alan. You thought you were the first."
Gary Lineker was among the finest goalscorers of his generationShearer's Red Devils snub is well documented. The Premier League's all-time top scorer opted to leave Blackburn Rovers in the mid-1990s and was close to an Old Trafford switch. However, he eventually opted to return to the club he supported as a boy, Newcastle.
At St James' Park he failed to win a single honour whilst United continued their dominance, beating Newcastle in the 1999 FA Cup final. Shearer though did become the Magpies' greatest-ever striker and has often said he stands by his decision to head back to the north east.
"I am more than happy with my decision,” he said. “If I had the same decision to make again, I would do exactly the same thing. I loved my 10 years at Newcastle, despite us not winning anything. I wouldn't change anything.”