Former Watford and QPR man ‘approached’ for Championship job ahead of Millwall clash

Former Watford midfielder John Eustace has revealed he has been the subject of an official approach from Derby County over their managerial vacancy. The Rams sacked manager Paul Warne last week with the club sitting 22nd in the Championship, one point from safety.

The decision to part ways with Warne comes ahead of fixtures with Oxford United on Tuesday and Queens Park Rangers on Friday. Millwall are Derby’s next opponents after those two games as they travel to Pride Park on Saturday, February 22.

Eustace started his playing career with Coventry City and also had spells at Stoke City, Watford and Derby. He spent five years at Vicarage Road, making over 150 appearances for the Hornets. He started his managerial career with Kidderminster Harriers and had a seven-game interim spell in charge at Loftus Road in 2019. He moved to Birmingham City in 2022 but was controversially dismissed with the club sixth in the Championship. He took on position at Blackburn Rovers last year.

Eustace reveals Derby approach

"I've just come off the pitch and realised that they've made an official approach," Eustace told BBC Radio Lancashire after his Blackburn side lost 2-0 to Premier League outfit Wolves in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.

"I'll have to chat with the owners and see what's happened. I'm sure Steve [Waggott] and Suhail [Sheikh] will want to sit down with me. I'd be disappointed if they didn't."

He continued: "I'm away from my family a lot and as everyone is, I'm working my socks off to make sure that Blackburn are really competitive. It's about seeing this club be back where it should be. The fans are fantastic fans here as well and I think everyone connected with the club wants it to succeed as much as possible. I've been linked with jobs all season. That is down to the effort of the group of players that we have got. It's part of the job."

If Derby get their man, Eustace is likely to be in the dugout for when QPR and Millwall face the Rams before the month is out.

What Derby said about Warne departure

Derby owner David Clowes said of relieving Warne of his duties: “Paul is a man of great integrity and embodies the values we hold important at Derby County. No fan should ever forget his contribution in securing promotion to the Championship. I certainly won’t.

“However, results in football dictate decisions and we felt that to give us the best chance of retaining our Championship status, the time was right to make a change. Paul goes with our thanks, gratitude and best wishes. He and his family will always be welcome at Pride Park.”

In other news, here’s what you need to know about the FA Cup fourth round draw, including the time, date and who could be involved.