Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has made his feelings clear about the controversial BBC social media post following Birmingham City’s sacking of manager Wayne Rooney.
Gary Lineker once stepped in to defend Wayne Rooney following a controversial social media post by the BBC. After Rooney was sacked by Birmingham City after just 15 games in charge, Lineker made his demands to his then-employers.
The BBC released a mock-up image of Rooney, who turns 40 on Friday, wearing a three-piece suit, a nod to the hit Birmingham-set series Peaky Blinders. X’s post was captioned: “Wayne Rooney has been sacked by Birmingham City by order of the Peaky Blinders.”
The post caused a storm on social media, with some fans slamming it as “disgusting” and a “bad idea”, with Lineker, the company’s highest-paid star at the time, demanding in two words: “Delete this”.
The BBC immediately responded and deleted the post. In response to his dismissal, Rooney claimed he had not been given enough time at St Andrews. He said: “Football is a results-based business and I am aware that they have not reached the level that I expected.
“However, time is the most precious thing a manager needs and I believe that 13 weeks was not enough to oversee the necessary changes.
read more: Gary Lineker reacts to Wayne Rooney’s Alexander Isaac theory as Liverpool stunnedread more: Wayne Rooney undergoes brutal reality check on managerial career after hinted at becoming Manchester United manager
“Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football since I was 16, both as a player and as a manager.
“I now look forward to taking time with my family to prepare for my next opportunity as a manager.Finally, I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners all the best as they pursue their ambitions.”
Rooney’s hiatus did not last long and he returned to the managerial race a few months later, taking charge of Plymouth Argyle, who were then in the Championship. However, his tenure was short-lived, winning only four of 23 games and parting ways with the Pilgrims on New Year’s Eve 2024.
Like Birmingham the previous season, Plymouth were relegated following Rooney’s departure. However, Birmingham made a triumphant return by winning the League One title last season and have ambitious plans to return to the Premier League.
Rooney recently hit back at Brady for questioning his work ethic during his time at Birmingham. “I’m a little concerned about the head coach’s work ethic,” Brady said in the documentary after visiting the Blues’ practice facility in November 2024.
Rooney said he was “really disappointed” in the criticism of the seven-time Super Bowl champion. He said on a BBC podcast: “I think Tom came once, and it was the day before the game, when the sun was a bit bright anyway, and I don’t think he understood football all that well.”
“But what he understands is that he’s a hard worker. We know that. Football is not the NFL. The NFL is only active three months a year. Players need rest too, so I think it’s very unfair of him. The way he brought that out and expressed it.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£43
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.
