It is 30 years this summer since Italia 90 when Lineker and England were knocked out of the planet Cup semi-finals by Germany. “I reminisce with a mix of joy, because we were such an honest side, and a sense we didn’t do ourselves justice. We didn’t always play well. Cameroon were brilliant within the quarters. They outplayed us most of the sport but Shilts made three world-class saves. I scored the 2 penalties and that we won. Then Germany. I only watched it back a few of years ago. I didn’t realise we were that good. We were the higher side. agen maxbet https://www.maxbetsbobet.org

“Italia 90 was a watershed for English football. Post-Hillsborough, post-Heysel, post-awful 80s hooliganism, it wasn’t just a labor sport anymore. it had been the national sport for everyone . Women and therefore the middle classes took an interest . The reaction after 1986 was extraordinary but 1990 – my God.”

That tournament propelled Lineker towards his role at the BBC – which is again beset by problems. “The BBC are some things that i’m genuinely hooked in to ,” Lineker says. “I’ve worked with them for 25 years. and that i think it’s something we should always be pleased with during this country.

“It’s really difficult for the BBC,” he admits. “They are the quality bearer and balance is difficult. Both the proper wing and therefore the left complain like hell that the BBC are biased. the reality is that the BBC is filled with thousands of individuals with varying politics . to mention the BBC is fundamentally leftist, or fundamentally rightist, is wrong. It’s been a difficult time due to Brexit and other people are very tribal. But the BBC is unbelievably respected round the world.

“The licence fee is our fundamental problem. You’re forced to pay it if you would like a TV, and thus it’s a tax. the general public pay our salaries, so most are a target. i might make the licence fee voluntary. I’ve always said for an extended time, i might make it voluntary. I don’t know the logistics of how it might work. you’d lose some people, but at an equivalent time you’d up the worth a touch . It’s the worth of a cup of coffee every week at the instant .

If you set it up you’ll help older people, or people who can’t afford it.”

Does his position at the BBC, and over Brexit, expose him to the threat of physical attack? “No, it’s remarkable. For all the grief I occasionally get on Twitter, people are tons kinder face to face. I’ve only had one incident.

About two years ago i used to be getting the train at Euston to Manchester.

I got shoved within the back. I rotated and it had been a touch wife . She’s going: ‘You let her in?’ i feel she was talking about the girl who came back from Isis – which I made no discuss .

She said: ‘You let her in, have her in your house. Effing this, effing that.’ She was on her thanks to a Tommy Robinson rally outside the BBC. But people are usually incredibly warm.”

As Lineker stretches out on his sofa for a photograph in his living room , I remind him he will turn 60 this year.

“Yeah,” he says wryly, “but it’s just variety . I’m still in fine condition . Seventy is that the one to stress about. i might love another 10 years of working like this and having an honest time.”