Birmingham City welcome back their former manager John Eustace to St Andrew's this week as he brings his Blackburn Rovers side in to town.
Eustace was appointed manager of the Lancashire outfit on Friday after they decided to part company with Jon Dahl Tomasson. The 44-year-old was linked with several jobs after his sacking back in October and it is Blackburn that he has landed on.
As fate would have it, in what is his first away game of his Blackburn tenure, he returns to the club that he called home for almost two-years. He was in charge of Birmingham from July 2022 to October 2023 having succeeded Lee Bowyer. Eustace during his reign picked up 21 wins, 16 draws and 26 defeats in the 63 games that he oversaw, giving him a win percentage of 33.33%.
The first game that he took charge of was against Luton Town who would go on to win promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in the same campaign. Eustace's reign began with a goalless draw at Kenilworth Road which isn't a bad way to start.
Several new signings featured that day with four of the five summer arrivals making their debuts. Juninho Bacuna and Przemyslaw Placheta had chances for Birmingham but they could not break the deadlock and had John Ruddy to thank for keeping the score goalless.
Eustace's last game in charge would be a 2-1 win against West Brom, which left them sixth in the standings before he was controversially sacked and replaced by Wayne Rooney. The appointment didn't go to plan and now Tony Mowbray is the man in the St Andrew's hot seat.
Here, as we celebrate the reign of Eustace, we look at what his first ever team was against Luton. Some players have gone on to management whilst others are in the Premier league now.
5. LM: Przemyslaw Placheta
On-loan at Swansea City now from Norwich City. | Getty Images
6. CM: Ryan Woods
On loan at Exeter City now. He was at Bristol Rovers for the first part of the 2023/24 campaign. Liam Rosenior doesn't see him featuring in his plans. | Getty Images
7. CM: Jordan James
Probably Birmingham City's most prized asset now? Worth at least £10m. He's wanted by a series of clubs. | Getty Images
8. RM: Maxime Colin
Playing in France now for FC Metz, who are in the top flight of French football. | Getty Images