Birmingham City favourite 'approached' for shock Championship manager's job

Championship strugglers Derby have reportedly made a formal approach to Blackburn Rovers to speak to their manager, John Eustace.

The 45-year-old has impressed in charge of the Lancashire club, directing them firmly in the play-off race. Blackburn are currently sixth in the Championship after 31 matches, one point ahead of nearest challengers Middlesbrough having won 13 games, drawn six and lost 12.

Sixth is exactly where Eustace was when he was staggeringly sacked by Birmingham City on October 9, 2023. As many Blues fans will painfully remember, Wayne Rooney controversially took over to replace Eustace and was then relieved of his duties just two months later after a catastrophic run of nine defeats, four draws and just two victories in his 15 matches in the St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park dugout.

Eustace’s qualities were clear to see when he was in charge of Blues and even more explicit when Birmingham’s form fell off a cliff under different management. Blues are on the rise again now with Chris Davies leading his side as League One title favourites, at least, but nobody will ever know how far they could’ve gone with Eustace still in charge.

As it is, though, history took a very different path and now Eustace has a big decision to make ahead of a potential next step. Sky Sports News reports Derby, who recently sacked Paul Warne, have approached Blackburn to acquire Eustace’s services and would be willing to pay the buy-out clause in his contract.

The Rams are currently down in the Championship relegation zone, a point away from safety and without a win in their last eight league fixtures. Most head coaches in their right mind would never swap a play-off challenger for a relegation contender but Derby have big ambitions and are confident they can lure Eustace to Pride Park.

Sky Sports’ report states Derby were mindful of Blackburn’s FA Cup tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers at lunchtime on Sunday but now the game is over and Rovers are out of the competition, negotiations are expected to advance.

Eustace has history with Derby having finished his playing days with the Rams. The former midfielder first joined Derby on loan from Watford in 2009 before going on to join them permanently for two seasons between 2013 and 2015. It awaits to be seen whether Eustace would be willing to give up everything he’s achieved with Blackburn thus far to join the project at Pride Park.