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.
13. Sub: George Friend
Signed for Bristol Rovers in the summer. He's endured an injury-hit spell at the Memorial Stadium. Didn't come on in Eustace's first match. | Getty
14. Sub: Alfie Chang
Was an unused substitute in Eustace's first game. Suffered a serious injury back in the summer and is out for the 2023/24 campaign. Signed a new deal at the club however. | Getty Images
15. Sub: Jobe Bellingham
Didn't come on in Eustace's first game. Moved on to Sunderland for an undisclosed fee this summer. | Getty Images
16. Sub: Jordan Graham (came on, 83)
Came on to replace Placheta in Eustace's first game. Graham joined Leyton Orient in the summer but has been out since November having undergone surgery for a patella tendon injury. | Getty Images