Former Match of the Day host Gary Lineker made his feelings clear about a controversial BBC social media post following Wayne Rooney’s sacking by Birmingham City
Gary Lineker once stepped in to defend Wayne Rooney following a contentious social media post by the BBC. Lineker made a demand to his then-employer after Rooney had been sacked by Birmingham City after just 15 games at the helm.
The BBC had shared a mock-up image of Rooney, who turns 40 on Friday, in a three-piece suit, referencing the popular Birmingham-set series Peaky Blinders. The post on X was captioned: “By order of the Peaky Blinders, Wayne Rooney has been sacked by Birmingham City.”
The post ignited a storm on social media, with some fans branding it “cringe” and a “bad idea” while Lineker, then the corporation’s highest-paid star, made a two-word demand, writing: “Delete this.”
The BBC promptly complied, removing the post. In response to his dismissal, Rooney insisted he wasn’t given enough time at St Andrew’s. He said: “Football is a results business and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be.
“However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed.
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“Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16.
“Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager. Finally, I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners my best wishes in the pursuit of their ambitions.”
Rooney’s hiatus was short-lived as he returned to the managerial fray a few months later when he took the reins at Plymouth Argyle, then in the Championship. However, his stint was fleeting as he parted ways with the Pilgrims on New Year’s Eve 2024 after securing just four victories in 23 matches.
Just like Birmingham the previous season, Plymouth were relegated following Rooney’s exit. Birmingham, however, made a triumphant comeback by clinching the League One title last season and harbour ambitious plans for a Premier League return.
More recently, Rooney has hit back at Brady, who questioned his work ethic during his time at Birmingham. Brady said he was “a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic” during a documentary after visiting the Blues’ training ground in November 2024.
Rooney said he was “really disappointed” at the seven-time Super Bowl winner’s criticism. Speaking via his BBC podcast, he said: “I think Tom came in once, which was the day before a game where the days are a little bit lighter anyway, and I don’t think he really understood football that well.
“But what he does understand is – he’s a hard worker – we know that. Football is not NFL – NFL works for three months a year. Players do need rest as well, so I think he’s very unfair, the way he’s come out and portrayed that.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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