How Gary Lineker helped Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney after Birmingham City sack

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker helped Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney escape ridicule following his sacking by Birmingham City at the beginning of January.

Rooney was given his marching orders at the beginning of January after his spell at St Andrew's was cut short. The former striker was appointed in October 2023 to replace the popular John Eustace with Blues sitting in the Championship play-off spots.

After 15 games in charge, Rooney managed just two victories and the West Midlands club chose to part company with him. Little sympathy was shown to the United legend after the announcement with many believing it served Birmingham right for sacking a manager who was proving to be successful and replacing him with a household name.

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Even BBC Sport's social media got in on the act as they posted a photoshopped picture of Rooney in a flat cap with the caption: "By order of the Peaky Blinders, Wayne Rooney has been sacked by Birmingham City." The joke at the 38-year-old's expense did not land with Lineker who replied: "Delete this."

The account subsequently deleted the post off all channels as requested by Lineker. Rooney has since taken time away from coaching as he weighs up his next move.

United's legendary forward has joined Lineker in the studio on Wednesday night to analyse the Reds' clash with Forest. At half-time he was quizzed by the Match of the Day presenter about his next move.

Rooney replied: "I definitely want to get back into it [management]. It was obviously a setback with what happened at Birmingham City but I am a fighter and want to get back into it.

"I enjoyed my time having a few months out