John Eustace, the Solihull-born ex-midfielder, has had a rocky start to life as Derby County’s manager.
But, he seems to have had effect as the Rams are currently on a three-game win streak with just a point stopping them from safety.
Eustace began his playing career at Coventry City in 1996.
In the seven years at the club, he had a loan stint at Dundee United in the 1998-99 season, and another loan move to Middlesborough in 2003.
Whilst at Dundee, Eustace played 11 matches for the club and won Young Player of the Year.
Upon his return, he established himself as a first team starter in the 2000-01 season, but the team was relegated from the Premier League.
At the start of the 2003-04 season, Eustace left second division Coventry to sign for Stoke City on a free transfer.
Eustace made 74 appearances for the Potters in five years at the club, whilst also featuring eight times for Hereford United on loan in the 2006 season.
Following his successful loan spell at Hereford United, Eustace signed a one-year contract extension – which saw him contracted until the summer of 2008 – and became Stoke’s club captain.
However, on the last day of the January transfer window in the 2008 season, Eustace left the Potters and joined Watford for a fee of £250,000.
His move to Watford saw him play a majority of his career matches with him making 157 appearances for the Hornets.
Less than 18 months later, Eustace made a loan spell move to Derby County in order to help with the Rams’ midfield injury crisis.
Eustace returned to Watford and played a key role in ensuring Watford’s safety from relegation to League One football.
Having worn the captain’s armband on multiple occasions – due to first-choice skipper Jay DeMerit’s injuries – and won Player’s Player of the Season which is voted by the other players in the squad.
In the 2010-11 season, Eustace was handed the captains armband following DeMerit’s transfer to Bosman.
Eustace continued playing for Watford until June 2013, as he was offered a new contract, but under the conditions that it was a player/coach role.
He declined the offer, stating he had more to give as a player, and joined Derby County as a free agent.
His time at Derby County was plagued with injuries so in his two years at the club, he only managed 48 appearances for the Rams before retiring in 2015.
After a year out from football entirely, Eustace stepped back into the footballing world in an unfamiliar setting – a manager.
April 2016, Eustace signed a one-year contract with National League Kidderminster Harriers.
During his time at the club, his style of tactics transformed the team as they were dubbed the “non-league Barcelona” by Gainsborough Trinity boss Dave Frecklington on December 2016.
Eustace also led the Harriers to the play-offs and an appearance in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup.
In May 2018, he left Kidderminster and headed South as he became the assistant manager to Steve McClaren at Queens Park Rangers.
During his time as assistant, Eustace began studying for his UEFA Pro License.
Eustace’s next big break came in July 2022, as he succeeded Lee Bowyer as head coach of Championship side Birmingham City.
During his short stint at the club, he guided Blues to their then highest points tally since 2016, but it was not enough as he was later dismissed in October 2023.
In February 2024, Eustace was back in the Championship as he was appointed head coach of Blackburn Rovers.
He helped the club avoid relegation in the 2023-24 season and left the club the following season with the club in the play-off places.
The reason behind Eustace leaving Blackburn was Derby County.
So far, Eustace has managed six games with Derby County, having lost to Queens Park Rangers 4-0, Millwall 1-0, and Middlesborough 1-0 also.
The Derby County ship is beginning to turn however, as the Rams defeated Eustace’s last club Blackburn 2-1, Coventry 2-0 and Plymouth 3-2.
In his first press conference at the club, Eustace stated that: “I am happy, and I am proud to be here
“I am excited to lead the team”.
Will Eustace turn Derby’s season around and lead them back to the Premier League, or will he have to rebuild the team from League One?
