BBC Sport forced to take down bizarre Wayne Rooney Birmingham sacking tweet after Gary Lineker demanded ‘delete this’

GARY LINEKER forced BBC Sport into an embarrassing U-turn as they deleted a bizarre Wayne Rooney post.

The former England captain was sacked as Birmingham City boss this morning after a dire run of form since he replaced John Eustace in October.

3

3

Rooney oversaw just two wins in 15 games as the Blues plummeted from sixth to 20th in the Championship.

And after news of his dismissal broke this morning, BBC Sport posted a strange tweet.

The official account tweeted: "By order of the Peaky Blinders, Wayne Rooney has been sacked by Birmingham City."

The post was accompanied by a mocked-up photo of Rooney in a flat cap and suit - in full Tommy Shelby style.

READ MORE ON FOOTBALL

WAYNE'S PAIN

Wayne Rooney SACKED by Birmingham after disastrous spell as manager

POWER UP

Get £40 in free football Bet Builder bets when you stake £10 with Paddy Power

But the Match of the Day host was not happy with the way his employers announced the news.

Lineker replied: "Delete this."

And his bosses promptly listened as the tweet was soon axed as it disappeared from their timeline.

But before covering their tracks, plenty of fans spotted the Beeb's tweet.

Most read in Championship

BAD STREAM

Dad who sold 'dodgy firesticks' that stream Premier League jailed for 3 years

BANGED UP

Mum's life ruined as she's hauled to jail for missing bail meeting 20 YEARS ago

KICKING OFF

Fresh row at BBC as Mark Chapman refuses to share MOTD job with rising star

BOYBAND BLUES

Doc uncovers truth behind 90s boybands from bust-up with Cowell to low wages

FREE BETS - BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES

One said: "If you missed that now deleted BBC Sport Peaky Blinders/Wayne Rooney tweet then you're having a better New Year's than us."

Another quipped: "Quick lads, how can we link Peaky blinders to the Rooney sacking? How about..."

And a third commented: "Let’s say it was even possible that the order was given by the Peaky Blinders to sack Wayne Rooney, why have you then depicted Mr Rooney as a Peaky Blinder lol."

News of Rooney's sacking was confirmed at 11am when Birmingham released a statement.

However, moments later the ex-Manchester United striker shared his own response.

And in it, he appeared to take a dig at Tom Brady and the St Andrew's owners by implying he deserved more time in the job to turn things around.

3

Rooney said: "I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and Garry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City FC and the support they all gave me during my short period with the club.

"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.

"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."

Steve Cooper is the early favourite to replace Rooney in the Birmingham dugout following his Nottingham Forest axe.

The Welshman is 6-4 with Sky Bet with Tony Mowbray (3-1), Gary Rowett (4-1), Jesse Marsch and Eustace (both 6-1) both in the running.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

HELPING HAND

Thousands of households to get £100 cash after losing Winter Fuel Payment

BOILER BAN

Gas boilers to be banned from ALL new homes within three years under Govt plans

For Rooney, meanwhile, he is set to take a break away from football before resuming his management career.

The ex-DC United and Derby boss, though, could have various options when he makes his return - with the EFL, Inter Miami and Saudi Arabia among the possible next steps.