Calendars at the ready; the Wagatha Christie Derby is coming.
Hours after it was confirmed Wayne Rooney has taken over as Birmingham City boss, fans had one particular date in their diaries. And it will put the Manchester United icon on a collision course with Jamie Vardy as two of British football's most famous families prepare for battle once more.
Provided Rooney's stay at St. Andrew's doesn't ended in a swift shambles, the 37-year-old will go up against Vardy's Leicester in a Championship clash for the books on December 16. And both Premier League alumni will have more than enough motivation to want to get one over the enemy as former court witnesses square off.
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It of course comes after the infamous libel trial between Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy, the respective wives of the football forces in question. The wife duo went to war in the English High Court after Rooney's childhood sweetheart accused fellow WAG Vardy of leaking information from her private Instagram account to the press.
A judge ruled in Rooney's favour in July 2022, and Rebekah was forced to pay the pair legal costs, which was estimated to be £3million or more. Both Wayne and Jamie appeared as witnesses on the stand during the trial, giving alleged evidence in an effort to support their respective spouses in a moment that will go down in football cult history.
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It's been claimed the case drove a wedge between Rooney and his former England team-mate, with recent reports suggesting 'Waz' has refused to speak to Jamie since the matter was resolved. But they may well get their chance to open the lines of communication at St. Andrew's in two months' time.
"Vardy scores and celebrates in front of Rooney," predicted one keen follower on social media. Other weren't as convinced in Rooney's ability to hold down the job until then as numerous suggested it was 'bold to assume he'll make it 66 days'.
It's rare that a second-tier fixture might gather this kind of attention from non-football fans, with gossip column readers likely to tune in for a drama that would make Eastenders envious. And there's sure to be plenty at stake given both teams are very much in the hunt for promotion this term.
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Rooney was unveiled as John Eustace's replacement on Wednesday after the former Blues boss was unceremoniously ousted from his job despite guiding Birmingham to sixth in the Championship. Leicester, meanwhile, head into the international break sat at the table's summit, having dropped only three points from a potential 33 thus far.
Foxes captain Vardy, 36, has had a decent return to the second tier and scored four times in his five Championship starts. Rooney, meanwhile, is out to improve his Championship record after the former D.C. United boss was unable to prevent Derby County being relegated to League One last year.
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