Gary Lineker has claimed Wayne Rooney deserved more time at Birmingham City following his sacking from the club.
The 38-year-old was relieved of his duties on Tuesday after winning just two of his 15 matches in charge at St Andrew's.
Shortly after Rooney's dismissal, the BBC mocked up an image of the Manchester United and England icon dressed as a Peaky Blinder.
Lineker wasn't happy with that decision, however.
Gary Lineker feels Wayne Rooney deserved more time at Birmingham following his dismissal
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The 63-year-old ordered the BBC to take down their post, with the broadcaster then duly obliging.
And Lineker, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, has now made it clear he feels Rooney deserved more time.
"I hope he gets another chance because three months in football is not much time to change things at a club," he said.
"But you understand why patience will wear thin, especially when you start dipping towards the bottom of the table."
Micah Richards, however, disagrees.
The former Manchester City star said: "Points well made, but just picking on one of your points - I think the best managers know how to adapt at the right times.
"If you've got a team who can be solid and make you a goal and just sort of get your way through, we're talking about a transfer window.
"So a lot of people are saying 'okay wait until January as he's not brought in his own players, is it really fair to judge him' but to be honest, the team was doing so well so there's no real excuse.
"Yes, the style of play, you made a really good point about the Championship.
"I played in the Championship and it's Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday and Tuesday in between them days, you just rest anyway.
"So to try and get your style of play within the season is gonna be very, very difficult.
"I think he's got a chance of being still a very good manager because at Derby, he did a good job with what they were dealing with finances and losing players and the transfer embargoes so many different things and he nearly kept them up.
"It's just this Birmingham job because of where they were in the league and to be 20th now, it's not gone to plan and we have to be honest about that."
Rooney seemed to agree with Lineker.
Reacting to his dismissal on Tuesday, the veteran 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 gave me during my short period with the club.
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Gary Lineker disagrees with Micah Richards over Wayne Rooney and his departure from Birmingham
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"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.
"Finally, I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners my best wishes in the pursuit of their ambitions."
Wayne Rooney lasted just three months at Birmingham with the Blues slipping to 20th in the Championship table
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Birmingham CEO Garry Cook explained the decision to axe Rooney by saying: "We are committed to doing what is necessary to bring success to St. Andrew's.
"Unfortunately, Wayne's time with us did not go as planned and we have decided to move in a different direction.
"The search for a successor begins with immediate effect and we will update supporters when we have further news."
