Derby County submit official approach for Blackburn Rovers manager John Eustace | OneFootball

The Rams are chasing Blackburn boss John Eustace as a replacement for the recently sacked Paul Warne

Derby County have made a formal approach to Blackburn Rovers for their manager, John Eustace.

According to Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett, the Rams are hoping to accelerate negotiations following Rovers’ FA Cup tie with Premier League outfit Wolves this lunchtime.

Dorsett also added that the East Midlands outfit are considering two other candidates, in addition to their pursuit of Eustace, but their former midfielder appears to be the number one choice.

Derby only parted company with previous boss Paul Warne on Friday, but look to be moving quickly to try and secure their next appointment as quickly as possible.

It could prove to be a crucial decision for the club’s hierarchy as, with the Rams currently sat inside the Championship’s bottom three, it will be vital the new man is able to oversee a sharp upturn in form if they are to retain their second tier status.

Derby County eyeing up John Eustace reunion as manager

It’s unsurprising really that Eustace is attracting interest from other clubs, given the success he has had both at Blackburn and in his previous job at Birmingham City.

The 45-year-old led the Blues into the Championship play-off positions in the early stages of the 2023-24 season, before he was cast away in favour of a more high-profile name in Wayne Rooney.

After a short period out of work, he took charge of Blackburn in February 2024 and, over the course of his year in charge, has overseen a significant improvement at Ewood Park.

Eustace ensured Rovers retained their second tier status last term and, after having the summer to work on making improvements to the squad, has them in serious contention to earn a play-off berth this campaign.

His Rovers side currently sit sixth in the Championship table and have a genuine chance of finishing in their highest league position since their relegation from the Premier League in 2012.

There is obviously still a lot of football to be played this season, and there is a lengthy queue of sides waiting to pounce on the opportunity, should Rovers slip up, but it’s fair to say Eustace has the club dreaming of a potential top flight return once again.

Given that little was expected of Blackburn at the start of the season, that is a particularly impressive feat in itself.

Derby County move may make sense for John Eustace - despite Blackburn Rovers league position

Given the trajectory that his managerial career is currently on, moving to Pride Park would surely be an unexpected switch for Eustace.

He spent time with the Rams at the end of his playing career, so there could be a personal aspect to consider, but from a footballing point of view, it would be a brave move.

Derby are a very ambitious club and have all the infrastructure in place to go on and become a real force again in English football in the future.

However, at present they find themselves right in the thick of what is shaping up to be a tense relegation battle in the Championship.

The Rams currently occupy the final relegation place and, with fellow strugglers Oxford, Preston, Luton and Stoke all still to visit Pride Park, they face some huge clashes ahead of them.

In normal circumstances, Eustace would have the potential to achieve a very significant promotion with Blackburn this season, and with that, potentially become a Premier League boss next term.

However, despite making multiple signings in the January window, Blackburn's incomings on the whole were quite uninspiring, and the current situation has shades of how Jon Dahl Tomasson departed exactly 12 months ago, with a general unhappiness of the hierarchy at Ewood Park becoming a bit more clearer.