The sacking of Gary Rowett by Birmingham City earlier this week was met with widespread condemnation from fans and pundits alike.
Despite being seventh in the Championship and being popular among Blues fans, Rowett was shown the door by the club's new Chinese owners, Trillion Trophy Asia Limited, on Tuesday.
And Chester FC Jon McCarthy added his voice to the dismay that met Rowett's sacking, with the two good friends having played together in the same Birmingham side back in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
"It is no reflection on Gary and I think he has come out well from it," said McCarthy.
"It probably tells the tale of the owners that the marketing and the sponsorship and the brand thing seems more important than the right decision.
"Gary will be OK, though.
"I know all of his staff there as well. I am a big fan of him and he has only enhanced his reputation by going there. And he need never forget that I got him his big move to the Premier League by covering him at right back so he could bomb on for a couple of seasons. He needs never to forget that.
"He's a good manager and I'm sure he'll go on to even better things."
Rowett has since been replaced in the St Andrews hotseat by Chelsea legend and ex-Watford and West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola.
