‘Extremely disappointed’ – Blackburn issue strongly-worded statement with John Eustace closes in on Derby move
John Eustace is leaving Blackburn to join Championship rivals Derby, talkSPORT understands. Blackburn confirmed that Eustace has requested permission to speak with a Championship club, although Derby were not named. Blackburn are reluctant to lose Eustace amid interest from DerbyGetty But talkSPORT understands Eustace has accepted the manager’s job at Pride Park after feeling a lack of support from the owners of his current club. Blackburn have triggered the release clause in his contract, believed to be between £500,000 and £750,000. Eustace is now set to head to the Rams, despite a 16-place gap separating the teams in the Championship. It’s a move that’s left a sour taste at Ewood Park, however. A club statement read: “Blackburn Rovers can confirm that head coach John Eustace has requested permission to speak with another Championship club, following the activation of a cause in his contract. “The club is extremely disappointed by John Eustace’s request to hold discussions with another club at such a crucial stage of the season, but this has now been reluctantly granted. “With significant investment being made during the January transfer window, with six new additions, several of whom impressed during yesterday’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Wolves, the board and ownership feel the club are in a good position to challenge for one of the play-off places this season. “With the squad bolstered, key players returning from injury and Rovers currently in a strong position in the Championship, the club and players remain focused on achieving the best possible outcome this season. “The club will make no further comment at this time.” Eustace’s first match in charge could come as early as Tuesday if he is appointed in time. Eustace could be set for a return to Pride Park after almost a decade awayGetty Derby host Oxford at Pride Park, with a win potentially taking them out of the relegation zone. The 45-year-old previously addressed the speculation surrounding his future following Blackburn’s 2-0 loss to Wolves in the FA Cup on Sunday. “I’ve heard rumours that there’s been an official approach, so that’s something I will have to discuss with the owners,” Eustace said. “I’ve been linked with other teams throughout the season so we’ll have to wait and see.” Eustace also added he is ‘happy’ at Blackburn, but reiterated he will have to speak with the owners if an official approach has indeed been made. The Rams axed Paul Warne on Friday after 869 days in charge. Warne brought Derby back to the second tier last seasonGetty Derby made the decision just 24 hours before their next Championship fixture away to Norwich, which ended in a 1-1 draw. First team coach Matt Hamshaw will lead Derby until they find Warne’s replacement, which could very well be Eustace if the club has its way. It would mark Eustace’s second spell at Derby having made 62 appearances for the club as a player. He initially moved to Derby in the 2008/09 Championship season on loan from Watford before eventually joining the Rams on a permanent basis in 2013. However, his time at Derby and playing career was curtailed when he suffered a serious knee injury in January 2015. He was released by the club at the end of the season and despite being linked with a move to Scottish giants Rangers, Eustace elected to hang up the boots. The 45-year-old has impressed during his separate spells at Birmingham and BlackburnGetty Eustace was soon thrust into managerial life when he took over as Kidderminster Harriers boss in June 2016. The 45-year-old took on a handful of assistant manager roles before returning to a head coaching gig when he was appointed Birmingham City boss in July 2022. Under Eustace, the Blues finished with 53 points in the 22/23 Championship season, their highest tally since 2017. However, Eustace was controversially sacked by the Blues in October 2023 despite having the club sitting in sixth as Birmingham swiftly replaced him with Wayne Rooney. It turned out to be a disastrous decision as Rooney was later sacked after just two wins from 15 games, with the club eventually relegated down to League One. As for Eustace, he returned to management last February with Blackburn. He kept the Lancashire outfit safe from relegation and has the club firmly in contention for the play-offs this term as the club sits sixth on 45 points. It is a feat made all the more impressive given he lost Sammie Szmodics, who bagged 27 goals for Blackburn last season, in the summer to Ipswich Town. As for Derby, they lie 22nd in the table, 16 places below Blackburn, and are two points from safety. The Rams were also on a seven-game losing streak, scoring just three goals in that run, but a draw against Norwich stopped the rot.
John Eustace is leaving Blackburn to join Championship rivals Derby, talkSPORT understands.
Blackburn confirmed that Eustace has requested permission to speak with a Championship club, although Derby were not named.
But talkSPORT understands Eustace has accepted the manager’s job at Pride Park after feeling a lack of support from the owners of his current club.
Blackburn have triggered the release clause in his contract, believed to be between £500,000 and £750,000.
Eustace is now set to head to the Rams, despite a 16-place gap separating the teams in the Championship.
It’s a move that’s left a sour taste at Ewood Park, however.
A club statement read: “Blackburn Rovers can confirm that head coach John Eustace has requested permission to speak with another Championship club, following the activation of a cause in his contract.
“The club is extremely disappointed by John Eustace’s request to hold discussions with another club at such a crucial stage of the season, but this has now been reluctantly granted.
“With significant investment being made during the January transfer window, with six new additions, several of whom impressed during yesterday’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Wolves, the board and ownership feel the club are in a good position to challenge for one of the play-off places this season.
“With the squad bolstered, key players returning from injury and Rovers currently in a strong position in the Championship, the club and players remain focused on achieving the best possible outcome this season.
“The club will make no further comment at this time.”
Eustace’s first match in charge could come as early as Tuesday if he is appointed in time.
Derby host Oxford at Pride Park, with a win potentially taking them out of the relegation zone.
The 45-year-old previously addressed the speculation surrounding his future following Blackburn’s 2-0 loss to Wolves in the FA Cup on Sunday.
“I’ve heard rumours that there’s been an official approach, so that’s something I will have to discuss with the owners,” Eustace said.
“I’ve been linked with other teams throughout the season so we’ll have to wait and see.”
Eustace also added he is ‘happy’ at Blackburn, but reiterated he will have to speak with the owners if an official approach has indeed been made.
The Rams axed Paul Warne on Friday after 869 days in charge.
Derby made the decision just 24 hours before their next Championship fixture away to Norwich, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
First team coach Matt Hamshaw will lead Derby until they find Warne’s replacement, which could very well be Eustace if the club has its way.
It would mark Eustace’s second spell at Derby having made 62 appearances for the club as a player.
He initially moved to Derby in the 2008/09 Championship season on loan from Watford before eventually joining the Rams on a permanent basis in 2013.
However, his time at Derby and playing career was curtailed when he suffered a serious knee injury in January 2015.
He was released by the club at the end of the season and despite being linked with a move to Scottish giants Rangers, Eustace elected to hang up the boots.
Eustace was soon thrust into managerial life when he took over as Kidderminster Harriers boss in June 2016.
The 45-year-old took on a handful of assistant manager roles before returning to a head coaching gig when he was appointed Birmingham City boss in July 2022.
Under Eustace, the Blues finished with 53 points in the 22/23 Championship season, their highest tally since 2017.
However, Eustace was controversially sacked by the Blues in October 2023 despite having the club sitting in sixth as Birmingham swiftly replaced him with Wayne Rooney.
It turned out to be a disastrous decision as Rooney was later sacked after just two wins from 15 games, with the club eventually relegated down to League One.
As for Eustace, he returned to management last February with Blackburn.
He kept the Lancashire outfit safe from relegation and has the club firmly in contention for the play-offs this term as the club sits sixth on 45 points.
It is a feat made all the more impressive given he lost Sammie Szmodics, who bagged 27 goals for Blackburn last season, in the summer to Ipswich Town.
As for Derby, they lie 22nd in the table, 16 places below Blackburn, and are two points from safety.
The Rams were also on a seven-game losing streak, scoring just three goals in that run, but a draw against Norwich stopped the rot.
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