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Gary Lineker took a step back from Baller League management ahead of the competition's second season, but returned with a watching brief as the new campaign kicked off. The former Match of the Day host was there to watch his old team Deportrio, now managed by Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge. Lineker was one of three managers for Deportrio in the first season, alongside Richards and Alan Shearer . His former co-managers have gone their separate ways this time, with Richards remaining at Deportrio and Shearer joining Ian Wright at the helm of Wembley Rangers. Shearer and Wright's team claimed a 3-2 victory when the ex-colleagues clashed on the opening matchday. "Well I didn't want to upset anyone, I just can't cope with Micah's enthusiasm, though. It's too much for me," Lineker explained on Sky Sports when asked why he'd chosen Shearer's dugout. "He's too demonstrative on the touchline so I thought I'd take...But Wrighty also gets a bit excited as well. "I've stuck with the old boys, they've got plenty of time on their side, I can go and watch them another year - these two not so sure. I might have picked the winning team and that's what you've got to do isn't it?" The score was 3-1 to Wembley Rangers at the time and Lineker was questioned if he had any advice for Richards and Sturridge should they go on to lose. "Yeah own it, live with it, deal with it and move onto the next game," he said. "It's humiliation really isn't it?". Deportrio managed to pull one goal back but it was too little, too late. This was despite having former Premier League players in their ranks, including ex-Everton striker Oumar Niasse who found the back of the net. Former Manchester City star Stephen Ireland also featured for Richards' and Sturridge's side, while other ex-pros involved in the league include John Bostock and Yasin Ben El-Mhanni. Former Tottenham talent Bostock scored a free-kick for Yanited in their defeat to John Terry's 26ers, while El-Mhanni was among the goals for VZN FC against SDS. Ahead of the second season, Baller League CEO Felix Starck spoke to talkSPORT about Lineker's departure. "We sat down and had a conversation with Gary - Does it make sense to continue or not?" Starck said. "I think you have to fall in love with this project to continue because it consumes your time. It's very time-consuming. It's full of people who spend hours and hours [investing their time in it]. "John Terry calls me every single week and complains that he's spending so much time, but then he says it's the best thing ever, it's the best thing ever. I think with Gary, he has a lot on in his life; he has a very busy schedule, and if you don't fall in love with it, you can't be with this game. It's really up to you."
