QPR and Millwall rivals set for 'blockbuster' managerial appointment ahead of Championship clashes

Derby County are set to appoint former QPR boss John Eustace as their new manager ahead of fixtures against the R's and London rivals Millwall over the next two weeks.

The Rams sit 22nd in the Championship table and are at risk of relegation with just 28 points from their opening 31 fixtures. Derby County are one point off 21st-placed Hull City and safety from the relegation zone.

The second tier strugglers parted ways with Paul Warne last week after a seven-match losing run in the Championship. Warne's last match in charge was 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United at Pride Park.

The managerless side picked up a point in a 1-1 draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday and host Oxford United on Tuesday night. On Friday, it's a trip to Loftus Road to take on QPR before the visit of Millwall next weekend.

It appears that the club will have a familiar face in charge for those matches against London clubs with a head-turning appointment imminent. Derby County are courting former player John Eustace, who is currently in charge of play-off chasing Blackburn Rovers.

Blackburn Rovers issue blockbuster John Eustace statement

Rovers have 'reluctantly' given Eustace permission to speak to 'another Championship club' this week after he had asked to do so, confirmed in a blockbuster statement. Blackburn Rovers said: "Blackburn Rovers can confirm that head coach John Eustace has requested permission to speak with another Championship club, following the activation of a clause in his contract.

"The club is extremely disappointed by John Eustace’s request to hold discussions with another club at such a crucial stage of the season, but this has now been reluctantly granted.

"With significant investment being made during the January transfer window, with six new additions, several of whom impressed during yesterday’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Wolves, the Board and Ownership feel the club are in good position to challenge for one of the play-off places this season.

"With the squad bolstered, key players returning from injury and Rovers currently in a strong position in the Championship, the club and players remain focused on achieving the best possible outcome this season. The club will make no further comment at this time."

John Eustace on ‘fantastic’ QPR following Loftus Road stint

Eustace only landed the Blackburn Rovers role in February 2024, having been sacked by Birmingham City in October 2023. The manager is well known to QPR fans, having initially worked alongside Steve McClaren at Loftus Road in 2018 before a brief role as caretaker boss in 2019.

During that short stint, Eustace helped the R's avoid relegation with seven points from his seven games in charge. The Rovers manager saw his side beaten 2-1 by his former club last Tuesday.

Ahead of that game, Eustace looked back fondly at his time in west London. He said: “It is a fantastic stadium, a fantastic place to work. I have got some real good friends there. QPR are playing really well at the moment as well, so we are looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“They are playing some really exciting, attacking football. They have got some real match winners there, the recruitment has been very good. The club is ran very well, a real top team in the Championship.”

In other news, the EFL has confirmed the official decision for QPR's trip to Coventry City tonight.