Blackburn Rovers

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Blackburn Rovers captain Lewis Travis has said he was "very close" to John Eustace before his ex-boss left for Derby County last week.

The 27-year-old would not be pushed to answer whether he was surprised Eustace left fifth-placed Rovers for fourth-bottom Derby, but did state he had a very healthy relationship with him during their year together at Ewood Park.

"I was very close to him, so it is hard to see a gaffer you're so close to leave," Travis told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"The gaffer didn't leave us in a bad position. Obviously, when he arrived we were down near the bottom and now we're in the top five".

Since Eustace left for Pride Park, Rovers have won both their matches under interim boss David Lowe, and Travis was quick to praise the club's new-look managerial set-up.

"He's [Lowe's] been driving things, he's been really good, and even [first-team technical coach and head of player development] Damien Johnson alongside him is tactically a really good football coach," Travis added.

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Blackburn Rovers interim boss David Lowe has said he is enjoying his time in temporary charge of the club.

The 59-year-old took over as caretaker manager following John Eustace's departure to Derby County and has picked up two wins from his opening two matches at the helm.

"I've been surrounded by some fantastic people, fantastic players and my family's been very supportive so I've really enjoyed it," Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire.

It's over 16 years since Lowe was last a caretaker boss - his one-match spell as Derby interim boss saw the Rams beat Manchester United 1-0 in the League Cup semi-final first-leg in January 2009.

And Lowe has been impressed by his current squad's efforts so far as they attempt to hold on to a place in the Championship play-offs.

"They've all respected the staff that have come in to help them out and they've been a credit to the profession. I've got nothing but respect for them," he said.

Lowe also confirmed that central defender Danny Batth remains unavailable for Rovers' trip to Swansea City on Saturday with a hamstring injury.

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Blackburn Rovers have reached an agreement to release Iceland midfielder Arnor Sigurdsson from his contract in order to join another club.

The 25-year-old joined the club from CSKA Moscow during the summer 2023 transfer window on an initial loan deal before joining on a permanent basis.

He scored on his Blackburn debut against Ipswich Town in September of that year and found the net on a total of eight occasions in 41 games during an injury-hit spell with the club.

"Everyone at Rovers thanks Siggy for his efforts with us and wishes him all the very best in his future career," a club statement said., external

Blackburn caretaker manager David Lowe hailed Adam Forshaw's first goal for nearly nine years as "fantastic".

A month after signing from Plymouth, the veteran midfielder scored against the Pilgrims in Rovers' 2-0 win and Lowe said: "He was saying he hasn't scored many goals over the years but in fairness to him today he managed to get into the penalty area and it was a fantastic finish.

"I'm pleased for him because he's a terrific pro and has been really good since he's been at the club, setting good habits for the young players.

"It's been a hectic few days but the players have applied themselves brilliantly and I'm really pleased they gave a good show for the fans at Ewood [Park].

"We played some decent football in the first half without getting any reward, and second half the quick play and movement, in and out of possession, was really good. We were prepared to tackle and win second balls, and then to play football and score two quality goals."

Blackburn begin life after John Eustace at Ewood Park with the visit of Plymouth on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Pilgrims seem to have turned a corner under Miron Muslic and climbed off the foot of the table on Wednesday with a 5-1 thrashing of Millwall, following up a draw at Sunderland, victory over West Brom and Sunday's stunning FA Cup shock against Liverpool.

Rovers returned to fifth in mid-week with a 2-0 win at West Brom led by interim boss David Lowe, however just eight points separate 11 sides in the race for the final two play-off spots.

• Blackburn Rovers are yet to beat Plymouth Argyle in the Football League this century (D2 L3), with their last league win against the Pilgrims coming in May 1992 (3-1).

• Since a 2-1 win in March 1989, Plymouth are winless in each of their past five trips to Blackburn in the league (D3 L2).

• Blackburn have won two of their past three league games at Ewood Park (L1), as many as in their prior eight games (D2 L4).

• Plymouth have drawn each of their past two away league games, picking up as many points as they did in their previous 15 away league matches combined (D2 L13).

• Blackburn's Makhtar Gueye has been involved in five goals in his past seven league games at Ewood Park (2 goals, 3 assists), netting in two of his last three league games there.

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We asked you earlier how you feel about John Eustace leaving for Derby, why you think he left and what impact you think it will have on the rest of the season.

Here are some of your responses:

James: I have always been of the opinion that if a player or manager wants to go, let them go. This one is a bit hard to take considering the league positions, but I can well understand that the pull of family, club history, and possibly a more supporting board room will have been a big influence. I hope he does well at Derby, but I have bigger hopes that whomever the new Blackburn manager is can keep them on the right track.

Steven: In all walks of life you should stop to see the project to its conclusion. For me, John Eustace has shown himself to be selfish and disloyal - he was the leader of the Blackburn players, some of which are new to the club and who joined to be part of his group. Very disappointed with John.

Gary: Quite simply this demonstrates that there is no loyalty in football, money is killing the game and contracts are worthless.

Martyn: I went through a range of emotions since the Derby approach was apparent. I'm now honestly quite glad. Clearly he didn't want to be there anymore, despite the words he's been spouting of late.

Why did he leave? I'm now of the belief he got ideas above his station and once the Derby job was available he immediately had an eye on it. I don't think the Rovers board lied or mislead him regarding investment (as bad as they are), I think he knew what the deal was.

It's a tough ask for us to stay in the play-off spots but last night proves we can go toe-to-toe with our rivals and the squad togetherness is intact. Some of our better players are soon back from injury, it's all to play for.

Fiona: Very disappointing at this stage of the season, but suggests all is still not well behind the scenes at Rovers. Good response from the players last night.

Max: Basically he wanted to go to the midlands from day one, not once did he say 'I am committed to Blackburn.' Also Derby is his old club so he has a connection. Nevertheless we gave him an opportunity at our club and took him on. He used us to get a rep and he never had plans to ever stay with us. Yes Venky's are half to blame, but he has had more support than any other manager at Rovers in January. He did us dirty to be honest.

Mark T: Strange one for me, his stock was high, one or two Premier League clubs may have even been looking at him. He's done a very good job wherever he's been. He was badly treated at Birmingham and he'll be missed at Ewood, but I wish him well. Derby's a big club, I'm sure he'll get them moving.

Chris: I guess there are two factors. Being closer to home and the long-term vision for Rovers. Considering where we are the league he has used the club as a stop-gap in his career which doesn't look good. We need new ownership instead of being a stagnant, mediocre-run business operation.

Adam: Another chapter in the circus that is Blackburn Rovers at the moment unfortunately. Until the owners and CEO are gone it will continue. I thank John for steadying the listing ship and keeping us up and getting us to dream of play-offs again, but also if I was a Rams fan be cautious of believing him when he says soundbites of togetherness etc.

Mark F: John has done a great job with a limited squad, remembering all of the talk about being relegation favourites after Szmodics was sold.

Tom: A damning indictment on the state of our club (i.e. the owners) that our manager wants to go to a club one spot above relegation, when we are well in play-off contention. What else needs saying?

Roger: It seems madness to leave when he has a real chance of getting into the Premier League. He should have moved his family up if that's a big issue.

Graeme: Personally find it disappointing that he didn't see out the promotion challenge. Hopefully the new manager wants to be at Ewood and we push on.

Andy Bayes
BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor

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As the old adage goes, "nothing surprises you in football" - but Blackburn looking for a new head coach a year after appointing John Eustace is more disappointing than surprising.

On the face of it, he's leaving a team currently in a play-off position for one that is just outside the Championship's bottom three, and without a transfer window to assist his second relegation escape in as many years.

So what are the factors at play that have seen Eustace move on?

• Geography – His family home is in the Midlands, so a manageable commute into work every day.

• Former club – Eustace had two spells with Derby, one on loan as well as ending his playing days with the Rams in January 2015.

• Contract – Derby might be offering far greater terms and a longer deal, giving him more family security.

• Relationship with Blackburn hierarchy – Eustace appeared to be at odds with the January recruitment policy where six players arrived, he gave the impression he didn't have a great deal of input into as many as five of them.

The general feeling of the supporters who comment on social media is a mix of anger towards the directors and owners, which has largely been the case since the takeover of the club by Venky's in 2010.

The term "significant investment" in the board's statement this week has done nothing to appease that feeling.

Many feel six arrivals, five of which aren't contracted beyond the end of the season can hardly be described as significant even if the wage contribution for Emmanuel Dennis' loan from Nottingham Forest will be the most expensive salary the club are currently paying out to a player.

There is also a level of criticism aimed in the direction of Eustace too.

For a head coach who preached the "family atmosphere" philosophy, to desert that family to the first party with a firm interest has come as a blow but judging by the terrific 2-0 success at West Brom without him, it may not prove a fatal one.

The win, under David Lowe's leadership at The Hawthorns, was a classic Eustace-type victory. Hard to beat, solid in all departments, error-free and some lovely football on the counter.

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In terms of the hierarchy, previous bosses Jon Dahl Tomasson, Tony Mowbray, Owen Coyle and Paul Lambert have all had their issues which ultimately led to each moving on after varying degrees of success.

Whoever the next head coach is of Blackburn Rovers, there must be clear or clearer objectives of what they want. Are they aligned in terms of recruitment? Do they know exactly what the remit is?

Despite losing talisman Sam Szmodics to Ipswich, Eustace kept his side largely in the top six for most of the season to date.

His departure will hit the players hard. They were always happy to talk about his positive impact on their careers. Todd Cantwell described him as the best he's worked for.

A swift appointment is paramount for a club that won't have been expecting to be looking for a head coach so soon.

Bookmakers' odds change by the hour, but Lee Carsley, a former Rovers captain, has come to the fore. Would he prefer a tilt at promotion with an old club or return to England under-21 duties? Time will tell.

It's also crucial, in my view, the club communicates with its fanbase to answer legitimate questions and concerns that just won't go away.

What is the long-term plan with so many of the players out of contract this summer or next? The model of selling promising players for big money can't continue unless players are tied down to long-term deals.

What is the plan of the owners? The Rao family haven't attended matches for a very long time and it's their right not to.

But how do they see the club realistically challenging for promotion with head coaches walking away - and how long do they want to continue with the club operating in this fashion?

The last time they communicated directly with me was when they sacked Sam Allardyce in 2010. A conversation with one of the family now would be most welcome.

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Derby County have appointed Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace as their new head coach.

We want to hear from both sets of supporters about what this means for your clubs.

Rams fans...

Are you happy with Eustace's appointment?

Do you think Eustace will keep you up this season?

Derby supporters, you can have your say here.

Rovers fans...

How do you feel about Eustace leaving?

Why do you think he left?

What impact will it have on the rest of the season?

Blackburn supporters, let us know your thoughts here.

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Blackburn Rovers interim boss David Lowe is ready to "keep on going" in the role until a replacement for John Eustace is found by the club.

Eustace is expected to become Derby County head coach after Rovers reluctantly agreed to let him speak to the Rams - but his players responded with a 2-0 win over West Brom to boost their play-off hopes.

"It's been a difficult week, so to come to a place like this and perform like we did in and out of possession was a great credit to the lads.

"It's sad to see John Eustace and the other two coaches go. They've worked really hard here. We'll just keep on going until an announcement is made. And we're now just focusing on Saturday," Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Our defensive organisation was really good and, up front, Makhtar Gueye looks a real handful. He's taken time to settle in, but we've been working a lot with him – and he took his goals really well."

Lowe's only previous game as a caretaker boss was, ironically, for Derby County back in 2009 when they pulled off an upset 1-0 win over Manchester United in the first leg of an EFL Cup semi-final.

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David Lowe will be in charge of the Blackburn team for their Championship game against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns, the club has confirmed.

A statement from Rovers , externalconfirmed: "Discussions between Rovers and another Championship club over the future of John Eustace and his backroom staff remain ongoing.

"As a result, David Lowe will lead the team for tonight's important Championship fixture, supported by Damien Johnson, Ben Benson, Mike Sheron and Paul Butler."

Eustace and coaches Keith Downing and Matt Gardiner are expected to be unveiled by Derby County, with reports suggesting terms have already been agreed.

Ironically, Lowe took interim charge of Derby for one game in 2009 when he was academy boss, following the departure of Paul Jewell and then caretaker Chris Hutchings, and oversaw a shock 1-0 win over Manchester United in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg.

Andrew Aloia
BBC Sport, East Midlands

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Swapping a promotion push with Blackburn Rovers for a relegation battle with Derby County is "too simplistic" a way to look at head coach John Eustace's potential move, says Oxford United boss Gary Rowett.

Eustace is close to leaving sixth-placed Rovers for a Derby side that moved out of the relegation places on goal difference on Tuesday night after picking up a point against Rowett's Oxford in a underwhelming goalless draw at Pride Park.

Rowett spoke before the match about expecting the 45-year-old former Rams midfielder to take the helm of a club be featured for across two spells.

Despite being at opposite ends of the table, it is understood that Eustace believes that Derby are the better long-term project. And with him and his family living in the region, location is also seen as motivating factor behind the potential move.

"It's very difficult to judge that decision," Rowett told BBC Sport.

"It's very easy to be black and white and say one team is sixth and one team is fourth from bottom when trying to understand why.

"Unless you are in a certain person's shoes, it's hard to judge why they want to make that decision. Both clubs are very good clubs, there is a history [as a player] with this club with someone like John.

"I'm not judging that, it's not for me to make comment on it, but I think it is a little too simplistic to think about it in those terms.

"What I would say is that it is very difficult to get into that position in the Championship [play-off spots], so there must be some form of a reason and I can only presume why he would want to make that move."

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BBC Radio Lancashire is reporting that Blackburn boss John Eustace is expected to be announced as the new manager of Derby County later on Wednesday barring any "late hiccups".

It is anticipated the 45-year-old, who had two spells as a player at Derby, will be confirmed as the Rams' new boss in the next few hours following the sacking of Paul Warne on Friday.

BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor Andy Bayes stated on X, external that he expects Damien Johnson, David Lowe, Mike Sheron, Paul Butler and Ben Benson will be put in caretaker charge for Rovers' Championship game at West Bromwich Albion tonight.

Blackburn revealed on Monday, external they had reluctantly given a club permission to speak to Eustace after a release clause in his contract had been activated.

Ged Scott and Steve Hermon
BBC Sport England

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West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray has warned that Wednesday night's Hawthorns opponents Blackburn Rovers may well be "galvanised" after several days of speculation about his opposite number John Eustace's future.

Albion take on Mowbray's former club - fifth against sixth - looking for a third straight home win since the veteran Baggies boss returned.

Rovers could be managerless as Eustace appears on the verge of a move back to the Midlands. But, although he is expected to have been announced as the new Derby County boss before the game takes place, Mowbray does not expect any negative effect on his old club.

It was May 2022 when Mowbray left Ewood Park, but he told BBC Radio WM: "Knowing the likes of Lewis Travis and John Buckley, they are very determined, focused young footballers, who will just want to win the next game.

"Players are pretty resilient. Most of them will have been through a few managers.

"They're not all going to be distraught and not try because they've not got a head coach. I'm pretty sure it will galvanise the playing group, they will have a chat with each other and will come here and give it a real go.

"They're a club I spent five and a half very happy years with. It's a tough game for us when you look at their results. I've seen them twice this year at Middlesbrough, where I live. But they won both of those games 1-0."

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Mowbray will go into battle buoyed by what he saw on Monday night when Albion's Under-21s beat Newcastle United 3-1 - a game featuring both Daryl Dike and Semi Ajayi on their way back from injury.

Dike played half an hour for the Under-21s – exactly a year to the day since he tore his Achilles for the second time. Ajayi also played 45 minutes on his comeback from a four-month lay-off. And, although he admits that Dike is "desperate to return", Mowbray says Ajayi is probably the closer of the two to a first-team return.

After waiting seven months for his league debut, goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith will make his second Hawthorns appearance in five days following the sale of Alex Palmer.

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Oxford United boss Gary Rowett says he "expects" John Eustace to become the new Derby County head coach - but it won't change his approach to the game against them on Tuesday night either way.

Rowett suffered his first loss as U's boss at Burnley last week, having previously gone on a nine-game unbeaten run since taking over (W5 D4).

The 50-year-old returns to Pride Park, where he made 120 appearances as a player between 1995 and 1998 and managed from March 2017 to May 2018.

"It's a club I know really well, a club I've got a lot of fondness for, a lot of time for," Rowett told BBC Radio Oxford.

"But ultimately, we're going back there trying to win the game, like I have done many times going back there as an opposition manager."

Paul Warne was sacked as Rams boss on Friday and Matt Hamshaw took temporary charge for their 1-1 draw at Norwich the following day.

Derby are understood to have made an official approach for Blackburn Rovers head coach Eustace but are yet to name their new boss.

"I don't know whether the situation will make a lot of difference to us in terms of what we've got to do," Rowett said.

"We will be prepared like we always are away from home and regardless of whether they do or don't have a new manager, we won't take the game in any different vein.

"My presumption - and it's probably not founded on anything other than presumption - is that at some point, John Eustace will probably be Derby manager.

"So, whether that's at some point tomorrow and he takes the game or whether he's at the game - whatever that is, I think if you're a Derby player, you're going to perform for the staff there like they did on Saturday.

"But you're also going to have half an eye on 'there might be a new manager somewhere out there watching', whether they're in the stands or the dugout, so I don't think it will change anything."

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Interim Derby County boss Matt Hamshaw expects to remain in charge for Tuesday's Championship game against Oxford, but is anticipating there will be a new head coach at Pride Park soon.

The Rams have made an official approach for Blackburn boss John Eustace, with the East Midlands club reportedly triggering a release clause of £500,000 for the 45-year-old.

BBC Radio Derby reported that Eustace's representatives were talking to the Blackburn owners on Monday about Derby's interest.

Eustace spoke about the approach after his side's FA Cup exit against Wolves on Sunday, although Hamshaw said there had been no specific mention of the Rovers boss when talking about who would succeed Paul Warne, who was sacked on Friday.

When asked about a timeline for the appointment, Hamshaw said: "They are trying to work as hard as they can to bring a new manager in, and hopefully there will be some light at the end of the tunnel sooner rather than later with that."

As far as Tuesday's home game goes, Hamshaw said he had "planned and prepped" as if he will be at the helm since Derby's draw at Norwich on Saturday.

"It's looking that way as we speak, but that could change again tomorrow (Tuesday) but I'm not assuming it will do," he said.