‘We fully understand’ – John Eustace drops 16 places to take new Championship job
Manager John Eustace has left Blackburn Rovers to join Derby County, both clubs have now confirmed. Eustace has swapped Championship clubs mid-season in a surprise move which sees him drop 16 places in the league. Eustace has completed his move to DerbyGetty Blackburn are fifth and pushing for promotion, while Derby are 21st and desperately fighting relegation. The 45-year-old has signed a contract at Pride Park until the summer of 2028 after a prolonged saga. Rovers had expressed their ‘extreme disappointment’ with the Englishman after ‘reluctantly’ granting him permission to talk with Derby mid-season. Now, Blackburn have released a more considered statement, admitting they understand Eustace’s reasons for leaving. It read: “While we are disappointed by his decision to leave at this crucial stage of the season, we fully understand that the opportunity to move closer to his family and return to a former club played a significant role in his choice. “The club had hoped that John would see out the season and continue the fantastic work he has done, particularly after strengthening the squad in January and guiding us into a strong position in the league. “However, with 14 games remaining and a real chance to push for a play-off place, the focus remains on achieving our ambitions.” Under interim manager David Lowe, Blackburn brushed off Eustace’s exit and ended a five-match winless run with an impressive 2-0 victory at West Brom on Wednesday night. Eustace will be joined at Derby by Matt Gardiner (Assistant Head Coach) and Keith Downing (First Team Coach). Derby owner David Clownes said: “When we bought the club, I was moved by the passion, solidarity and shared belief that bonded all of us who cared about Derby County. From the players, to the staff and to every single fan, we shared a determination to save the club and drive it forward. Blackburn released a strong statement amid his talks with their league rivalsGetty “It’s the same bond we need now as we get behind John and the players for these final 14 games. That bond was clear at Norwich last Saturday, a team fighting and refusing to be beaten, urged on by our magnificent support. “This is now a season within a season and it’s time for that passion, solidarity and shared belief again, to show what the Rams mean to us all.” talkSPORT understands Eustace accepted the manager’s job at Pride Park after feeling a lack of support from Blackburn’s owners. The 45-year-old’s release clause is also understood to have been in the region of £500,000 to £750,000. Eustace spent the last two years of his professional playing career at Derby, making 63 appearances in all competitions. His coaching career commenced the year after his retirement in 2016 when he joined Kidderminster Harriers as manager. Eustace returns to former club Derby almost ten years after he leftGetty After two years with the National League North side he moved to Queens Park Rangers as an assistant to Steve McClaren. Eustace then had a brief spell as their caretaker manager before he returned to assistant duties upon the arrival of Mark Warburton. In 2022 he joined the Republic of Ireland national team within the same role, this time with Stephen Kenny, alongside his QPR work. Eustace became the head coach at Birmingham City in July that year but was dismissed in October 2023 and replaced by Wayne Rooney – a decision which ultimately led to the Blues getting relegated. Blackburn came calling last February and he guided them to safety in the Championship. Eustace’s touchline debut for Derby is set to come on Friday night in their league clash away at his former club QPR – live on talkSPORT 2.
Manager John Eustace has left Blackburn Rovers to join Derby County, both clubs have now confirmed.
Eustace has swapped Championship clubs mid-season in a surprise move which sees him drop 16 places in the league.
Blackburn are fifth and pushing for promotion, while Derby are 21st and desperately fighting relegation.
The 45-year-old has signed a contract at Pride Park until the summer of 2028 after a prolonged saga.
Rovers had expressed their ‘extreme disappointment’ with the Englishman after ‘reluctantly’ granting him permission to talk with Derby mid-season.
Now, Blackburn have released a more considered statement, admitting they understand Eustace’s reasons for leaving.
It read: “While we are disappointed by his decision to leave at this crucial stage of the season, we fully understand that the opportunity to move closer to his family and return to a former club played a significant role in his choice.
“The club had hoped that John would see out the season and continue the fantastic work he has done, particularly after strengthening the squad in January and guiding us into a strong position in the league.
“However, with 14 games remaining and a real chance to push for a play-off place, the focus remains on achieving our ambitions.”
Under interim manager David Lowe, Blackburn brushed off Eustace’s exit and ended a five-match winless run with an impressive 2-0 victory at West Brom on Wednesday night.
Eustace will be joined at Derby by Matt Gardiner (Assistant Head Coach) and Keith Downing (First Team Coach).
Derby owner David Clownes said: “When we bought the club, I was moved by the passion, solidarity and shared belief that bonded all of us who cared about Derby County. From the players, to the staff and to every single fan, we shared a determination to save the club and drive it forward.
“It’s the same bond we need now as we get behind John and the players for these final 14 games. That bond was clear at Norwich last Saturday, a team fighting and refusing to be beaten, urged on by our magnificent support.
“This is now a season within a season and it’s time for that passion, solidarity and shared belief again, to show what the Rams mean to us all.”
talkSPORT understands Eustace accepted the manager’s job at Pride Park after feeling a lack of support from Blackburn’s owners.
The 45-year-old’s release clause is also understood to have been in the region of £500,000 to £750,000.
Eustace spent the last two years of his professional playing career at Derby, making 63 appearances in all competitions.
His coaching career commenced the year after his retirement in 2016 when he joined Kidderminster Harriers as manager.
After two years with the National League North side he moved to Queens Park Rangers as an assistant to Steve McClaren.
Eustace then had a brief spell as their caretaker manager before he returned to assistant duties upon the arrival of Mark Warburton.
In 2022 he joined the Republic of Ireland national team within the same role, this time with Stephen Kenny, alongside his QPR work.
Eustace became the head coach at Birmingham City in July that year but was dismissed in October 2023 and replaced by Wayne Rooney – a decision which ultimately led to the Blues getting relegated.
Blackburn came calling last February and he guided them to safety in the Championship.
Eustace’s touchline debut for Derby is set to come on Friday night in their league clash away at his former club QPR – live on talkSPORT 2.
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