‘It’s... Wagatha Christie derby’ - Wayne Rooney arrival tees up tasty Birmingham City vs Leicester City clash

It hasn't taken long for football fans to note that the appointment of Wayne Rooney as Birmingham City manager lines up a 'Wagatha Christie' clash with Leicester City in December.

The Manchester United legend has today been confirmed as John Eustace's replacement as he makes a return to Championship management after his mutual departure from MLS side DC United. Rooney starts at St Andrew's with 'immediate effect' and is supported by footballing legends Ashley Cole and John O'Shea in his backroom staff.

The 37-year-old takes over a Birmingham City team that sits sixth in the Championship with five wins, three draws and three losses in the second tier this season. Rooney's first match in charge will come away at Middlesbrough on October 21 after the international break.

One upcoming Championship clash that football fans across the country have already spotted as one to watch is against current league leaders Leicester City. The recently relegated Foxes have won 10 and lost just one so far this term under Enzo Maresca, but it's not the former Premier League champions' form that has turned heads. Talisman Jamie Vardy is still playing at the club and has notched four league goals so far this season and will travel to St Andrew's shortly before Christmas on December 16 to meet Wayne Rooney's side - in what one X user labelled 'The Wagatha Christie derby'.

The wives of Rooney and Vardy of course went head-to-head in a high-profile libel legal battle last year. The dispute came about after Coleen Rooney accused Rebekah Vardy of leaking posts from her private Instagram account to The Sun. The incoming Blues boss' wife accused Vardy of doing so after conducting a mini-investigation with her social media account, leading the media to dub the fallout between WAGs as 'Wagatha Christie'.

Vardy then took Rooney to court, suing the Scouser for libel but her claim was dismissed as the court ruled Rooney's statement to be 'substantially true'. The Foxes striker's partner was ordered to pay her own legal costs and a substantial amount of Rooney's, reported to be a fee of around £3 million.

The fallout captured the attention of the nation and has been spun off to a drama series and even a London play. Thinking ahead to the meeting between Birmingham City and Leicester City, one football fan joked they 'can't wait to see Vardy's celebration' while another wrote: "Roll on Blues against Leicester 16th of December. Rooney against Vardy. Wagatha Christie face off."

Welcoming Rooney to the club, Birmingham City co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner said: "Wayne is a born winner. We believe, with the support of his coaching staff, the club, and our supporters, he will take Blues forward on the next stage of our journey.

"His playing philosophy will help to realise the ambitions we have set for Birmingham City. Wayne has been preparing for an opportunity like this since he embarked on his coaching education whilst still a player at Manchester United. He and his staff have the full support of the board and everyone at the football club."