Former Birmingham City boss John Eustace is Derby County's new head coach 'with immediate effect'

Things are moving quickly at Derby County as the football club announce a new appointment to the DCFC training team.

In what has been a tumultuous year for The Rams narrowly escaping the relegation zone, the latest upheaval was the sacking of manager Paul Warne on February 7, 2025.

Today Derby County announced former Birmingham City boss John Eustace has joined the club as Derby County Head Coach with immediate effect.

Eustace returns to Pride Park Stadium after two spells as a player; firstly on loan in 2009, and for the final two years of his playing career from 2013 till 2015.

Owner David Clowes said: “I’m excited to welcome John back to Derby County. Fans will remember him for his craft, commitment and intelligence. He was a real leader.

“I’ve followed his managerial career with interest, and it’s clear he has the qualities we need to maintain our progress.

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“He helped both Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham City avoid relegation, before taking Birmingham to sixth place prior to his departure. He has repeated that achievement at Blackburn Rovers, leaving behind a team in the play-off places.

"I am thrilled that he shares our belief in the potential of Derby County and that he wants to play a leading role in our plans.

"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.

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“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.”

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John has signed a contract which will run until the summer of 2028 and takes up his position with immediate effect.

He will be joined by Matt Gardiner (Assistant Head Coach) and Keith Downing (First Team Coach) on the coaching staff.

Who is John Eustace Derby County’s new head coach?

John Eustace was a midfielder in his playing days, starting at Coventry City in 1998 before joining Stoke City in 2003, then migrating over to Watford in 2008.

The first of his stints with Derby came on loan in 2009. After returning to Watford, he eventually joined the Rams permanently in the summer of 2013.

Eustace enjoyed the final two years of his career with Derby, playing 62 times in total and scoring three goals across his two spells, before retiring in 2015 after playing 434 games and scoring 34 goals in all.

He forged his management skills with Kidderminster Harriers in 2016 ahead of spending four years on the coaching staff at Queens Park Rangers between 2018 and 2022.

He also served at the Republic of Ireland senior Men’s coaching staff.

Eustace returned to management with Birmingham City in the summer of 2022.

He left the Blues early in the 2023/24 season despite being in a top six spot.

He returned to management in February 2024 at Blackburn Rovers. After guiding them to safety, he led them into the top six in the current campaign.

In total, Eustace has recorded 226 matches in management, winning 98 and drawing 53.