Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson believes Wayne Rooney would still be among the contenders for future managerial roles despite being sacked by Birmingham City on Tuesday.
Rooney joined Birmingham as manager in October when the club were placed sixth on the table in the second-tier Championship.
However, Rooney was shown the door this week after they registered just two wins during 15 games in charge and are only six points above the relegation zone in 20th place.
"He's got an outstanding football brain and was a magnificent footballer," Hodgson, who coached Rooney during his tenure as England manager, told reporters on Wednesday before Palace's FA Cup game against Everton on Thursday.
"I'm sad that it happened but I know he will bounce back. I read he will take a little break from the game. That's an intelligent thing to do.
"There's no doubt that Wayne Rooney will always be on people's lips and minds when it comes to future jobs. He really does understand football. He's proved that as a player - he was very thoughtful and astute tactically."
Rooney is not the first Englishman who has found life difficult in managerial roles in recent years, with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard having poor stints at Everton and Aston Villa.
"They will be welcomed into a club because of their name and they will be expected to suddenly take over a team that hasn't been doing brilliantly and make it fly," he added.
"That's an unrealistic demand. They all have to say they didn't really get a good chance. No one gave them two years, didn't give them three transfer windows, a chance."