3 John Eustace replacements Blackburn Rovers must consider if he leaves for Derby County | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers will have to move quick to replace John Eustace if he departs for Derby County

Blackburn Rovers look set to lose current head coach John Eustace to Championship strugglers Derby County, after the Rams met a compensation clause in the Englishman’s contract.

Heads around the EFL have been turned by the news, with Blackburn currently sitting in a play-off spot whilst Derby languish in the relegation zone.

Whilst Blackburn are set to receive £500,000 in compensation according to The Telegraph's John Percy, the Lancashire side will have to move swiftly to secure a replacement at Ewood Park in order to maintain their play-off charge.

Here are three managers that Rovers may turn to in order to keep their promotion hopes on track.

Steve Cooper

Reuters

Blackburn are currently sat in the final Championship play-off spot of sixth, with fans hoping for a return to the Premier League via Wembley after a 13-year absence from the top flight.

Remaining in the play-offs will be a tall ask, however, with plenty of sides vying for a spot in the top six come May.

One manager currently out of work has a track record of leading sides to the play-offs, with Welshman Steve Cooper securing a top-six finish in all three of his seasons as a Championship manager.

After leading Welsh club Swansea City into the play-offs without success in back-to-back seasons, Cooper helped Nottingham Forest end their own exile from the top division of English football by winning at Wembley in 2022.

Although Cooper’s spells as a Premier League manager have left a lot to be desired, his proven credentials in the Championship make him a tempting hire for Blackburn.

Rob Edwards

Reuters

Another manager with a Championship play-off win under his belt is Rob Edwards, who led unfancied Luton Town to the Premier League back in 2023.

After a brave yet unsuccessful fight to survive in the top flight last year, the wheels started to come off for the Hatters.

Upon their return to the second tier they found themselves in another relegation battle, leaving them no choice but to split with their promotion hero Edwards.

With the Venkys’ lack of willingness to invest properly into the playing squad at Ewood Park, a manager that has previously worked with a small budget would be high on their list of candidates.

Des Buckingham

Reuters

You might notice a theme with these suggested managers, as all three are currently out of work.

That will likely be the waters Blackburn will fish in if Eustace’s exit is confirmed, the club avoiding any compensation fees by hiring an unemployed head coach.

Like Edwards, Buckingham is another manager to have been sacked by a Championship club this season.

A boyhood Oxford United fan, Buckingham swapped his role as head coach at Indian outfit Mumbai City to lead the U’s to promotion from the third tier last season, beating favourites Bolton Wanderers at Wembley in the play-off final.

After leading Oxford to the second tier for the first time since 1999, fans were shocked when the hometown hero was sacked in December, with the U’s above the relegation spots despite operating on a smaller budget compared to most of the division.

Appointing Buckingham might be seen as a risk, however, with the 40-year-old somewhat of an unproven prospect in the English game.

Sentimental Derby returns allows John Eustace exit from Blackburn’s lack of investment

Whilst many fans are bemused at Eustace’s apparent decision to swap potential promotion for a relegation dogfight, things are not all that they seem at Blackburn.

Eustace’s predecessor, Jon Dahl Tomasson left shortly after the winter transfer window in 2024, the Dane unimpressed with the lack of investment from club owners, the Venky family.

The final straw for Tomasson was a loan move for attacker Duncan McGuire breaking down at the deadline, after Rovers failed to submit the correct paperwork in time.

Tomasson mutually agreed to depart Ewood Park, paving the way for Eustace to take the job in February of last year.

But fast-forward just 366 days later, and Eustace is reportedly also disillusioned with the lack of transfers funded by the Venkys.

Meanwhile, Derby are reportedly thinking big despite their current spot in the drop zone of the second tier.

Aside from the Rams’ ambitions, Eustace has a sentimental link to Pride Park, having finished his playing career with Derby.