Micah Richards has pledged to take the Match of the Day hosting gig to new levels should Newcastle United clinch the Premier League title. During a recent episode of The Rest Is Football, Richards vowed: “If Newcastle win the league, I’ll do Match of the Day naked.”
His bold declaration sent co-hosts Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer into fits of laughter, before Lineker teased: “I wonder if they’d allow me do one last show then if that was the case.” Shearer humorously then joked: “F***ing hell, everyone would have to get wide screens for that night wouldn’t they?”
As laughter ensued, Shearer clarified his comment, explaining: “I didn’t mean for that, I meant for his guns.” While the conversation eventually moved on, Lineker revisited it at the end of the episode as he said: “I’m going to start cheering Newcastle on now, so they win the league. Micah’s promised.”
Shearer, with mixed feelings, said: “We don’t want that, man, do we? And we want Newcastle to win the league, we don’t want that idiot on our TVs with nout on.” Richards then suggested: “Course we do. All oiled up, it would be fantastic. Be like Mr Motivator.”
Lineker, not missing a beat, quipped: “Could you imagine? The viewing figures wouldn’t be the only thing that’s huge – your guns Micah, your guns.” The banter follows Lineker’s own daring wager during the 2015/16 Premier League season when he vowed to host Match of the Day in his boxer shorts if Leicester City clinched the title.
Despite being given staggering odds of 5000/1 by some bookmakers after finishing 14th the previous season, the Foxes’ early momentum made the prospect increasingly plausible. Lineker took to social media in December 2015 to exclaim: “YES! If Leicester win the @premierleague I’ll do the first MOTD of next season in just my undies.”
In a fairytale conclusion, Leicester triumphed in the Premier League, ending the season 10 points ahead of Arsenal with an impressive record of 23 victories, 12 draws, and a mere three defeats. True to his word, Lineker delivered on his pledge, presenting the opening episode of MOTD for the 2016/17 season clad in white boxer shorts emblazoned with the Leicester City emblem.
Kicking off the programme with pundits Shearer and Ian Wright grinning behind him, Lineker said: “Here we go again. New season, new titles, new managers, new signings – but apart from that, nothing much has really changed.”
Newcastle, since their 2021 ownership change, have experienced a notable upswing in Premier League fortunes, securing fourth place in the 2022/23 season and clinching seventh last year. Positioned sixth in the English top flight at present, the Magpies are 12 points adrift of table-toppers Liverpool who boast a game in hand.
Eddie Howe’s squad has notched some impressive outings in the 2024/25 season, including a 2-0 triumph over Manchester United and an electrifying 3-3 tie with Liverpool in December, as well as edging out Arsenal 1-0 in November and holding Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in September.
Newcastle’s latest outing saw them steamrolled by Bournemouth in a 4-1 loss at St James’ Park, and they’re aiming to rebuild momentum when they hit the road for a showdown against Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday (January 25).
