The former Match of the Day presenter, 81, said in an interview that he has "no gripe" with female presenters but pundits should have "played it at the level you are talking about - i.e. the men's game".

Lynam left the programme in 1999 to join ITV and was replaced by Lineker, who has fronted it ever since and is the BBC's highest-paid employee.

Speaking to the Radio Times, Lynam was asked about the increase in female football pundits.

He told the magazine: "I've got no gripe with female presenters, but when you're a pundit and you're offering opinions about the game, you have to have played it at the level you are talking about - i.e. the men's game."

After a pause, he added: "In my view."

Lynam, who has not played professional sport himself, also hit out at former England international Lineker over how much he is paid by the BBC.

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Lineker takes home around £1.35m a year - far ahead of second-highest earner Zoe Ball.

Lynam said: "I don't suppose you can justify it in terms of what a nurse or fireman does, but it's the market, that's what the BBC feel they have to pay to get his services.

"You can't say that anybody saying a few words into a television screen is worth more than someone who saves lives, but money dictates."

Lynam added: "He's a very lucky chap. He's had two great careers and the second one is helped along by the fact he had the first one."