- Derby County has confirmed the appointment of John Eustace as chief coach
- In a club statement, Blackburn Rovers expressed his 'disappointment'
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Derby has confirmed the appointment of John Eustace after his departure as Blackburn Rovers.
In a club statement, the Rams said: “Derby County is delighted to announce the appointment of John Eustace as a chief coach.”
The 45 -year -old has signed an agreement until the summer of 2028 and will join the assistant chief coach Matt Gardiner and the coach of the first Keith Downing team.
The owner David Clowes said: 'I am excited to welcome John to Derby County. Fans will remember it for their trade, commitment and intelligence. He was a true leader.
'I have followed his management career with interest, and it is clear that he has the qualities we need to maintain our progress.
'He helped the Rangers of Queens Park and the city of Birmingham to avoid the descent, before taking Birmingham to sixth place before his departure. He has repeated that achievement in Blackburn Rovers, leaving behind a team in the play-off places.
Derby confirmed the appointment of John Eustace after his departure from Blackburn Rovers
In a Blackburn statement, the club expressed its “disappointment” in Eustace's decision
'When we bought the club, I was moved by passion, solidarity and the shared belief that we joined all those who care about Derby County. From the players, to the staff and to each fan, we share the determination to save the club and take it forward.
'It is the same link we need now as we support John and the players for these 14 final games. That bond was clear in Norwich last Saturday, a team fighting and refused to be defeated, urged by our magnificent support.
“This is now a season within a season and it is time for that passion, solidarity and belief shared again, show what the Rams mean for all of us.”
Meanwhile, in his own statement, Blackburn said: 'Blackburn Rovers can confirm that John Eustace has left his role as chief coach to occupy a position with another championship club.
“While we are disappointed by their decision to leave at this crucial stage of the season, we completely understand that the opportunity to approach his family and return to an old club played an important role in his choice.”
'The club had waited for John to see the season and continue the fantastic work he has done, particularly after strengthening the team in January and guiding us to a strong position in the League.
'However, with 14 remaining games and a real opportunity to boost a play-off place, the approach remains to achieve our ambitions.
Blackburn said: “We completely understand the opportunity to approach his family”
The former administrator of the city of Birmingham began to administer with Kidderminster Harriers in 2016 before spending four years in the QPR coaching staff between 2018 and 2022
“Football is always evolving, and although we separate from John Eustace, this also presents an exciting opportunity for the new chief coach to build on our current positive position.”
Eustace began to administer with Kidderminster Harriers in 2016 before spending four years in the QPR coaching staff between 2018 and 2022.
The 45-year-old man returned as a manager with Birmingham in 2022 before leaving at the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign. Then he joined Blackburn in February last year.