View from the Visitors: Lineker on Pep, KDB, 1969 FA Cup heartbreak and Leicester City | OneFootball

We spoke to Match of the Day host, The Rest is Football podcaster and former Leicester striker Gary Lineker about this weekend’s clash with the Foxes.

Check out the Q&A below.

How much did you enjoy playing for Leicester?

Leicester were my hometown club.

I’d watched them since I was seven-years-old so it was the realisation of a dream when I actually played for them. It was a great period for me.

Obviously I have followed them ever since and as people know, I’m a massive Leicester City fan.

How do you look back now at Leicester winning the Premier League?

I think it was the biggest and greatest team miracle that I can remember in any sport – but certainly in football.

It was just extraordinary. It was impossible what Leicester did.

It always makes me a bit emotional when I think about it. It was so special.

What do you make of Leicester now?

Hopefully we can stick in.

I must admit I did enjoy last season in the Championship – we won a lot of games! It was like being a Manchester City fan, almost!

But, we are not as strong on the pitch as we were, probably two or three years ago, but they seem to have a good spirit there, got some good young talent and it was really unfortunate that Abdul Fatawu got injured because I think he’s quite special. He’s out for the season which has been quite a blow.

There’s a bit of experience in there but I think it’s going to be a hard fight to stay up. Fingers crossed.

What are your thoughts on City right now?

Pep will turn it around. I don’t doubt that. It’s just a question of when.

It’s so odd at the moment to see this.

It’s a real challenge for Pep so all of us are looking at it to see how he gets the team out of it.

Obviously losing Rodri was a massive blow but they were due a patch. It was going to happen at some point. You can’t just keep going.

Winning four titles on the bounce was ridiculous and his record since he came here is absolutely second-to-none.

If you doubt Pep, you’re a fool.

We believe one of your first football memories was City v Leicester in the 1969 FA Cup Final?

Yes I was at the game. I was eight-years-old at the time.

I remember the winning goal – and that’s probably because I’ve also seen it so many times on TV since. Neil Young scored and I was heartbroken.

The one main memory I can definitely recall is being on the train crying on the way home!

Finally, as a striker looking for service, how much would you have enjoyed playing with KDB?

Kevin is an incredible talent.

Any striker would want to play with him because his vision, his awareness and his ability to put the ball on a sixpence is as good as practically anyone.

He’s a fabulous player, he’s been brilliant for Manchester City over such a long period of time. He’s very special.