Derby County

Andrew Aloia
BBC Sport, East Midlands

Image source, Getty Images

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."

Image source, Rex Features

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.

"These two games are clearly the sort of games you get when you are in flux - you're in a holding pattern before a new manager comes in. You'd expect a different performance at Queens Park Rangers on Friday."

Dominic Dietrich and Ed Dawes are joined by former Derby County academy coach Darren Robinson and ex-Rams striker Malcolm Christie to discuss the good and bad of Derby's goalless draw with Oxford United, and what it tells a new manager once they take charge.

Includes post-match interviews with first-team coach Matt Hamshaw and defender Callum Elder.

You can listen to the full post-match reaction and other episodes of Rams Daily on BBC Sounds.

Derby County first-team coach Matt Hamshaw hopes the club can make a permanent managerial appointment before Friday's Championship fixture against QPR, with John Eustace widely expected to take over at Pride Park.

BBC Radio Derby report that the Rams are closing in on naming the Blackburn boss as Paul Warne's replacement with Rovers reluctantly giving permission for the 45-year-old to speak to their Championship rivals.

Hamshaw would not be drawn specifically on Eustace in the wake of Derby's 0-0 draw against Oxford United on Tuesday night but would like a resolution sooner rather than later.

"It's probably been like every 28 hours at every football club," Hamshaw told BBC Radio Derby. "There is always rumours, always obstacles, always debate, always exactly this.

"Some people want a manger out, some people want a manager in. It's nothing new. That's football.

"Hopefully a new manager will be here [for Friday's match against QPR]. If he is, that's fantastic, and if he isn't rest assured I will try 100% to get the three points."

The stalemate against Oxford does lift the Rams out of the bottom three on goals scored but they could find themselves back in the relegation zone after Wednesday's matches, with Hull City and Luton Town in action.

"I'm disappointed and a bit frustrated. I probably felt a little like how the fans did - we were a bit passive, I thought we were a bit one-paced and thought we didn't take enough risks," Hamshaw added.

"I don't want to be too downbeat, we got a point and a clean sheet but I expect much better really. I know I'm a little bit negative, but I just have really high demands and really high expectations for the group.

"It doesn't feel like a great point at this moment in time, but tomorrow morning when I wake up and the lads come in and I see the league table, it might feel like a good point."

"I think he's the right man for the job. Not just because it's hopefully going to happen - we need a coach that's going to get on that grass."

Dominic Dietrich and Ed Dawes are joined by former Derby County goalkeeper Eric Steele to discuss talks between the club and Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace to fill their vacant managerial role, and what the former Rams midfielder could bring to the squad if appointed.

You can listen to this and other episodes of Rams Daily on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Oxford United are looking to bounce back from their first defeat of 2025 as they make the trip to managerless Derby County on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

The U's had not lost since boss Gary Rowett's appointment in December but faltered to a 1-0 defeat against Burnley last time out.

While, the Rams ended a seven game losing streak with a draw against Norwich City on the weekend but remain a relegation threat.

• Derby County have lost just one of their last six league games against Oxford United (W4 D1), though the Rams did lose their last home match against the U's 2-1 in August 2023.

• Oxford United have won three of their last six away league games against Derby County (D1 L2), with each of those three victories coming via a one-goal margin.

• Derby County have lost their last four home league games without scoring a single goal, with three of those 1-0 defeats. The Rams last had a longer home losing run between July and October 2020 (5), while the Rams have never lost five in a row without scoring, with this their 2,558th home game in the Football League since being founder members in 1888.

• Oxford United suffered their first league defeat under Gary Rowett last time out against Burnley (W5 D4). The former Derby manager has won each of his last four away league games at Pride Park (one with Birmingham, three with Millwall).

• Although Oxford striker Tom Bradshaw only has one Championship goal in seven appearances against Derby, that goal came in a 1-0 win at Pride Park under current U's manager Gary Rowett, when he was manager of Millwall in December 2019.

Interim Derby County manager Matt Hamshaw said the 1-1 draw against Norwich City was a great result given their seven-game Championship losing run and the sacking of Paul Warne as head coach on Friday.

Hamshaw told BBC Radio Derby: "That performance gives me huge pride. It was really hard to pick the group up.

"They lads were devastated because Paul's a good guy and the lads really respected and liked him. But he was fully aware that the run results haven't been good enough.

"I thought we had the better opportunities and could easily have come away with three points.

"The club and fans are amazing. I'm really pleased that the fans have something to shout about rather than just doom and gloom. Today is a really good, positive day."

The fine folks at BBC Radio Derby have produced an extended version of the Rams Daily podcast to cover Friday's sacking of boss Paul Warne.

They speak to former Derby players Eric Steele, Curtis Davies and Malcolm Christie as well as hearing the views of Rams' supporters too.

Click on the 'play' icon above to listen in - and you can find all episodes of Rams Daily here.

Image source, Rex Features

Former Derby County captain Curtis Davies is uncomfortable with how the club dealt with the dismissal of boss Paul Warne.

He was sacked on Friday with the Rams in the Championship relegation zone but barely 24 hours before facing Norwich City.

"To have allowed Paul Warne and his staff to take training, and then sack him, I don't like that at all," Davies told BBC Radio Derby.

"If they know he's not going to have the job then it's a meeting in the morning. On a human level you can't allow a man to take training and be preparing for a game.

"If it's the right decision or not it's not the way I would like my football club in terms of Derby County to conduct themselves."

First-team coach Matt Hamshaw will be in charge for the game at Carrow Road on Saturday and Davies thinks whoever is appointed will have a tough job on their hands.

"I think in isolation if you look at a record of eight losses in a row and 12 in 15 it's hard to defend.

"With a transfer window having just gone if you're trying to lure a manager of better quality than Paul Warne who can potentially keep them up he's going to have to do it with the squad they've already got and that's a bit of a worry."

Luke Pingu
Fan Writer and Youtuber

So, Paul Warne has been dismissed from his position as Derby County head coach.

With the club now in the relegation zone and without a win since Boxing Day, Derby are looking for the right person to avoid the drop.

With the current squad Derby have and with 16 games remaining would a change in the style of play be possible?

Quite a big criticism of the Paul Warne era was that his football was 'boring'.

However, with limited resources he got the club promoted in his first full season and achieved his primary goal which gave him enough credit to keep his job for a few extra weeks.

An ideal candidate who is currently without a job would be Sean Dyche. The job he did with Burnley is incredibly underrated and he would put long-term foundations into the club.

Whoever is given the honour to manage Derby County will get a big backing from the fans and home form will be critical to the club avoiding relegation.

Owner David Clowes must now make the right decision on who should complete this task.

After Paul Warne was sacked as Derby County boss on Friday afternoon, we asked you whether it was the right decision and who you would want to replace him.

Here are your responses:

Daniel: I think Derby have made the right decision in sacking Paul Warne. A bland style of football and seven league defeats in a row, it was inevitable. I will say the timing is very strange, the day before a game plus getting the backing of bringing his own players and not even getting the chance to use them is weird. I will forever be grateful for his efforts getting us promoted, but the change was needed, and all we need to do is back the new manager, whoever it is.

Alistair: I think it's the wrong decision right now immediately after the transfer window closed. He should have been given time with the new players. If anything, Warne should have been sacked pre-Christmas so a new manager would have been in place prior to the transfer window.

Alfie: 100% the only viable decision for the club. Only way we were ever going to stay up was to sack him as he was very clearly out of his depth. Onwards and upwards from here.

Gary: Paul was a great League One boss but the Championship was a step too far. Rob Edwards would be my choice.

Alan: I think it's a bit of a strange one sacking Paul Warne after he's taken training. But I do believe it is time for a change. Paul will always be remembered for getting us promoted from League One. But the run of results have shown he has taken us as far as he can.

John: Strange decision the day before a game. I think Warne has been unlucky with the injuries, let's hope we appoint the right man. Sean Dyche for me.

RamBoy: I'm shocked to say the least. I'm not saying it isn't deserved or unexpected but the timing is strange. The board/owner let Warne have all the transfer window, bring in new players, train the team all week and make preparations for this weekend's game to only then go and sack him. Once all that happened, you'd have been forgiven for thinking he had the rest of the season, if not until Easter. Very strange decision indeed.

Chris: Right decision but it should have been taken before the transfer window. It will be a big ask to turn form around to avoid the drop from here. Warne's replacement should be someone with a record of success in the Championship, to give us a sporting chance. Steve Cooper?

Steve: I think everyone should have waited and given Paul Warne until the end of the season at least. I believe he'd have been able to keep us in the Championship. What we have now, however, is the prospect of a new manager coming in who will probably want to change the playing staff before some of them have even kicked a ball for us.

Liam: He did a great job in securing promotion but his record as a Championship manager doesn't read well. We need someone with knowledge of this league who has done well in playing attacking football and also has a plan B. Not Gerrard though.

Rob: No... at least not for another two or three games. You don't allow a manager to sign players in the transfer window only to sack him before he's had a chance to integrate them into the team (along with returning injured players they would have likely made the difference). Unless there is a new manager appointment to be announced inside a week then what's the point?

Image source, Rex Features

Former Derby County players Eric Steele and Malcolm Christie say the club's decision to sack head coach Paul Warne "is not a surprise".

Ex-Rams goalkeeper Steele admitted he was "surprised by the timing" just 24 hours before Derby take on Norwich in the Championship, but not by the decision itself.

Warne has presided over seven straight defeats in the league with the Rams now in the relegation zone and the atmosphere from the stands had become particularly uncomfortable.

"I think the fans have had a massive impact in terms of driving this decision," Steele told BBC Radio Derby.

"I think David Clowes [club owner] could not ignore the reaction of the fans at the last two or three games.

"I don't think it'll come as a surprise to the fans and I think there will be a lot of relief the change has been made.

"Whoever is going to take over, tough job in the short time that you've got, but let's hope the players will dig in and go 'come on, we've got to get a result tomorrow'.

"Irrespective of who is going to be in charge, the result is so important for this football club and we can sort the rest of the details out later."

Former striker Christie believes Warne's exit was "inevitable" with "the way the season has been going".

"Paul's seen a team that's been playing for him and wanting to put a performance in but ultimately, they've been losing - and losing quite regularly," Christie said.

"The supporters have let David and everybody know what they think needed to happen. Clearly David and the board have made a considered decision.

"The timing of it is not ideal but are people just waiting for us to go to Norwich to get beaten for this to happen with Paul?

"Whoever the new guy is in the short-term or long-term has to come in and have a real impact on this season because that's what's needed now.

"We need everybody to pull together in the same direction because at the end of the day, the fans have wanted this and a lot of people wanted this last season as well, even though Paul Warne got Derby County promoted.

"The fans, the vast majority of them anyway, have got their wishes. But now it's about the team. Support the team."

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County have sacked boss Paul Warne after a run of seven straight defeats saw them slip to 22nd in the Championship and two points adrift from safety.

Rams supporters, we want to know what you think…

• Is it the right decision to part ways with Warne?

• Who do you want to replace him?

• Can Derby stay up with a change of head coach?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, Getty Images

Head coach Paul Warne admits Derby County missed out on three transfer deadline day targets, but insists he remains satisfied with the business the Rams did get done across the winter window.

Getting teenager Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong to Pride Park on loan was the only deal the Championship strugglers got over the line in the hours before the mid-season transfer window closed earlier this week.

He was the fourth addition made, with centre-backs Matt Clarke and Sondre Langas, as well as striker Lars-Jorgen Salvesen joining in January.

"On the whole, am I pleased with the window? Yeah, I'm pretty pleased," Warne told BBC Radio Derby.

"I like the players that we have brought in, but I would have liked one or two more."

The sale of Eiran Cashin to Brighton for £9m, a season-ending injury to his centre-back partner Curtis Nelson, as well as an injury to forward Dajaune Brown after offloading forward James Collins to Lincoln City meant the additions represent replacements more than reinforcements in the Rams' relegation battle.

Before a change of heart from clubs Derby were trying to do business with, that was not how it was looking for the Rams.

"I can't give out names, but we had centre-forward that was coming in, a wider player that was coming in - it was all on, then on the last day the club changes their mind," he said.

"And not our club, their club. And there is not much we can do about that.

"I don't feel let down, I would have liked obviously more power at the top of the pitch because in games, we are losing games – I'm well aware we are losing games – but we are losing games by one goal.

"We are not being outplayed, I don't think defensively but in possession we just need to give ourselves more chances to score and obviously that is inclusive of bringing in players at the top. That is my disappointment and I know they are the hardest to get."

You can hear more from Paul Warne about transfers, the Rams' form and their next match against Norwich on BBC Radio Derby's Rams Daily podcast.