Gary Lineker has opened up about the devastating moment that he received a call about his former Match of the Day colleague Alan Hansen’s poor health earlier this month
Gary Lineker broke down in tears after receiving a call about Alan Hansen’s deteriorating health.
Former Match of the Day pundit Hansen, 69, was taken to hospital in early June after falling seriously ill. Liverpool football club shared the news of their club legend’s health in a statement at the time.
Lineker, the Scot’s friend and long-time colleague on the BBC show, was deeply impacted by the news. He showed his support for Hansen by saying: “We’re thinking of you big man, we’re with you and we’re hoping and we’re praying for you.”
Hansen has now been discharged from hospital, both Liverpool and his family confirmed. And Lineker admitted on the Rest Is Football podcast that he cried with sadness earlier in the month, having received a message saying his friend was expected to pass away.
He said: “I just want to start with some very very good news. I got a text message yesterday from Janet Hansen, Alan’s wife, saying he had been discharged from hospital. What an amazing piece of news.
“I got a call two weeks ago when Alan was really struggling from somebody – who I won’t name – asking me to come on and talk about the fact that it’s about to be announced that Alan’s left us. I genuinely broke down and an hour later people said ‘hang on a minute, that’s not quite the case’.
“He’s pulled through now and it’s fantastic. Amazing news. Hope you’re listening, Al. It’s great to have you back with us.”
Hansen joined Liverpool from Partick Thistle in 1977. He won three European Cups, eight league titles, two FA Cups and three League Cups in 620 appearances for the Anfield club.
Having left the Reds to embark on a career in the media, he became a BBC and Match of the Day regular. Hansen provided analysis for 16 FA Cup finals, six World Cups, five European Championships, and even an Olympic Games before hanging up his punditry boots in 2014 after the World Cup final.
Addressing his departure from Match of the Day, Hansen explained: “I’m retiring from Match of the Day at the end of the season. I will have been there for 22 years and will be 59, so it’s the right time for me.”
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