John Eustace leaves Blackburn Rovers to become a new main Derby | District Coach | Football news
John Eustace has left Blackburn Rovers to become a new main coach in their Derby Championship.
The Rovers are the fifth on the championship table and in the good and truly in the play-off hunting-Eustace headed to a club sitting just in front of a second-degree relegation zone, separated only by the differences of goals.
Eustace ended his playing career with Derby 2015 – and his first game on the main game became a trip to QPR on Valentine’s Day, live on Sport Sky Sports Sports.
As for Blackburn, who won 2-0 in the promotion of the West Brom rival on Wednesday night, the temporary chief David Lowe- who assumed the duty for the game- will continue to be temporarily guided by Rovers.
It is expected to remain in charge of the home game of Blackburn on Saturday against Plymouth
The Blackburn statement read: “Although we are disappointed with his decision to leave at this key stage of the season, we fully understand that the opportunity to approach her family and return to the former club played a significant role in his choice.
“The club hoped John would see the season and continue the fantastic job he did, especially after strengthening the team in January and running us in a strong position in the league.
“However, with the remaining 14 games and a real opportunity to advocate for the play-offs, the focus remains to achieve our ambitions.
“Football is always evolving, and as we separate with John Eustace, it also represents an exciting opportunity for the new main coach to upgrade at our current positive position.
“We remain in a good place in the league and the community of players, staff and fans can all play a big role in making the successful end of the season.”
Eustace assumed his duty to Blackburn 12 months ago, shortly after Birmingham controversially fired it. The Lancashire Club was 18th place in the championship at the time, but now they lie in the first six.
Speaking last Sunday, Eustace said he wanted to talk to Rovers’ ownership and, asked if he would ask for the belief that the club would continue to support him well, he said, “Of course.”
Has Eustace misunderstood the Blackburn project?
Sky Sports’ Don Goodman:
“We are not behind the scenes, so it is an old proverb: you do not know what is happening behind the closed doors. You can only assume that there were relationships with hierarchy or persuading what the future has that Eustace is not special as.
“He did a great job in Blackburn. He entered February last February, when they were tortured a little. He pulled them out and I don’t think anyone would have expected Blackburn to be where he was now.
“He brought in some players, but they were mostly free transfers or loan contracts. So you wonder what a relationship with the hierarchy was behind the scenes. You can only assume that he did a little wrong project when he signed the lines of lines a year ago.
“The only logic is if Eustace is more excited about the Derby County project than he can come into the immediate future in Blackburn, that’s the only thing you have to continue.
“When you look at the money they have brought over several years: Ben Brereton Diaz, Adam Wharton and Sammie Szmodics. The money went into the football club and they certainly didn’t review much.
“So, I just wonder what the reassure of John had. He was trying to build a team that was able to make Blackburn compete at the top of the championship is a little luck, all the way to the Premier League.”
Eustace’s first six knots in Derby – including Blackburn at home!
February 14: QPR (a), start of 8pm, live Sport Sky Sports Sports
22. February: Millwall (H), 12.30 pm
March 1: Middlesbrough (A), 15:00
March 8: Blackburn (H), 15:00
March 11: Coventry (H), 7.45pm
March 15: Plymouth (A), 15:00
