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BBC Sport deleted a bizarre tweet mocking Wayne Rooney following his sacking by Birmingham City after prompting from Gary Lineker.
The former Derby County boss was dismissed from his role at St Andrew’s on Tuesday after a woeful run of nine defeats from his 15 games in charge.
The Blues plummeted down the Championship table to 20th, having been sixth when the shock decision was taken to relieve former boss John Eustace from his duties in October.
Following the club’s announcement, BBC Sport’s account on X tweeted the message: ‘By order of the Peaky Blinders, Wayne Rooney has been sacked by Birmingham City.’
The post was accompanied by an image of Rooney in a flat cap and suit – reminiscent of the hit show’s main cast.
Match of the Day host Lineker was less that pleased with the post by his employers and replied: ‘Delete this.’
It appears that someone was listening as the post was swiftly removed from their account.
Rooney admitted he underperformed as Birmingham City manager after his removal but believed he wasn’t given enough time to make an impact.
‘Football is a results business – and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be.’ He said in a statement on Tuesday after first thanking senior members of the club’s board and its supporters.
‘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.
‘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.’
Since Rooney replaced John Eustace in October, Birmingham have had the worst record in the Championship. They took 10 points from a possible 45, losing nine and winning just two.
The futures of fellow staff members Ashley Cole, John O’Shea, and Pete Shuttleworth were being resolved on Tuesday morning.
Rooney had vowed to fight on after Monday’s 3-0 defeat at Leeds but staff were called to a meeting at the club’s training ground on Tuesday when they were informed that Rooney would be sacked.
