John Eustace has made a surprising move, leaving Blackburn Rovers to take on the role of head coach at Derby County. This transition comes 12 months after Eustace took charge at Blackburn, following his controversial dismissal from Birmingham. Under his leadership, Blackburn currently sits in fifth place in the Championship table, actively contending for a play-off position. In contrast, Derby County teeters just outside the relegation zone, separated only by goal difference.
Eustace's new role at Derby marks a return to familiar territory, as he ended his playing career with the club in 2015. His first assignment as Derby's head coach will be a match against QPR on Valentine's Day, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football. While Eustace's departure from Blackburn may come as a shock, it aligns with his desire to move closer to his family and reconnect with a former club.
During his tenure at Blackburn, Eustace aimed to build a team capable of competing at the upper echelons of the Championship, with aspirations of eventually reaching the Premier League. He expressed a commitment to ensuring strong support from the club's ownership, stating, "Of course," when asked about seeking assurances for continued backing.
Blackburn Rovers had hoped Eustace would remain until the end of the season, given his instrumental role in strengthening the squad in January and guiding the team into a strong league position. His efforts have been pivotal in steering Blackburn away from trouble since he assumed control last February. Notably, Blackburn has bolstered its squad with key signings such as Ben Brereton Diaz, Adam Wharton, and Sammie Szmodics.
Following Eustace's departure, David Lowe will step in as interim boss to lead Blackburn on a temporary basis. Eustace is expected to oversee Blackburn's upcoming home game against Plymouth on Saturday before fully transitioning to his new role at Derby.
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