Blackburn boss Eustace set for Derby move

John Eustace has won 18 of his 52 games as Blackburn manager

Blackburn Rovers have "reluctantly" given boss John Eustace permission to speak to another Championship club about their managerial vacancy after he asked to do so.

Derby sacked Paul Warne on Friday and made an approach to speak to Eustace on Sunday.

Rovers said in a statement they were "extremely disappointed by Eustace's request to hold discussions with another club at such a crucial stage of the season".

Derby are 22nd in the Championship, 17 points behind sixth-placed Rovers.

"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," the Blackburn statement added.

"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."

Eustace, 45, who had two spell with Derby as a player said he had found out the club had made an approach to speak to him after his side's FA Cup defeat by Premier League Wolves on Sunday.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire at the time he would "have to chat with the owners and see what's happened".

Derby sacked Warne, who led them up from League One last season, on Friday after a run of seven successive defeats saw them slip into the relegation zone.

They ended their poor run with a draw at Norwich on Saturday under the caretaker charge of Matt Hamshaw but are one point adrift of safety.

They host Oxford on Tuesday, while Rovers travel to fellow play-off chasers West Brom on Wednesday.

Eustace on the move after one year at Ewood Park?

Eustace started his managerial career in non-league with Kidderminster Harriers in 2016, one year after retiring as a player with Derby.

He then moved on to the coaching staff at Queens Park Rangers in 2019 before being appointed Birmingham manager in July 2022.

Despite being in the play-off places, Blues sacked him in October 2023 and replaced him with England legend Wayne Rooney.

Eustace then took over at Ewood Park on 9 February last year and led them to safety, as Birmingham were relegated on the final day.

Although last season's top scorer Sammie Szmodics left in August he has overseen a largely positive season at Blackburn and they are well-placed to challenge for a top six finish - something that they have not managed in the second tier since being relegated from the Premier League in 2011-12.

However, it is understood that Eustace believes that Derby are the better long-term project.