It's Rooney vs Lampard! And a Premier League hero takes charge of his first game with new side - five things to look out for on Boxing Day outside the Premier League
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After the Christmas festivities, football will return with a bang on Boxing Day, with the Premier League taking centre stage once again. It's not just the top flight sides who will be in action, however. Every single team in the Football League is booked in to play, meaning there is plenty of potential for change in the league tables.
![[Rooney is in charge of Plymouth in the Championship, while Lampard has just taken over at Coventry in the same division]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/25/17/93480479-0-image-a-58_1735149497522.jpg)
There's also action in Scotland and there are a number of subplots to keep an eye on all across the two countries on Thursday afternoon, from football legends clashing to a managerial debut. Mail Sport's NATHAN SALT picks out five things to look out for on the big day...
![[Kevin Nolan is set to take charge of his first game as Northampton manager this Boxing Day]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/25/17/93480563-0-image-a-31_1735148766489.jpg)
Top billing on Boxing Day comes in the West Midlands at the Coventry Building Society Arena. For the first time in their careers, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard face off as managers. Both have found management a far tougher nut to crack than playing, where Lampard edged the head-to-head, winning 12 of their 28 meetings. Rooney won 10.
![[In Scotland, Neil Critchley's Hearts will go head to head with Hibs in the Edinburgh derby]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/25/17/93480633-0-image-a-32_1735149099625.jpg)
Wayne Rooney (left) and Frank Lampard (right) will go head to head in the dugout on Thursday. Rooney is in charge of Plymouth in the Championship, while Lampard has just taken over at Coventry in the same division. Lampard may have taken just seven points from his first five games since succeeding Mark.
Robins at Coventry but it is Rooney, seven games without a win, who is under the microscope. 'I have known Wayne for many years now, have full respect for him, and I look forward to seeing him,' Lampard said this week. 'It was an absolute pleasure to play with him for England. He is a Premier League and England great, and his numbers and performances should never be understated. He was incredible.'.
