Members News: John, the new “gaffer,” is off to a fantastic start with Blackburn Rovers!!

CCFPA expressed great joy upon learning that their member, former Sky Blue midfielder John Eustace, had recently been appointed as the Head Coach of Blackburn Rovers. This development swiftly followed the mutual agreement to part ways with Jon Dahl Tomasson. Blackburn Rovers had been facing challenges in the Championship, enduring a winless streak of eight league games. Yesterday, under John Eustace’s leadership, the team secured a 3-1 home victory against Stoke City, providing the supporters with a positive ‘new manager bounce.’

The 44-year-old, who previously managed Birmingham City for 15 months until his unexpected dismissal last October, signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Blackburn Rovers. Despite leading Birmingham City to sixth position in the Championship at the time of his removal, John Eustace was replaced to facilitate the appointment of Wayne Rooney.

Born in Solihull on November 3, 1979, John Eustace began his professional career as an apprentice at Highfield Road in 1996, spending seven years with CCFC before moving to Stoke City in 2003. During his time with the Sky Blues, the attacking midfielder made nearly a hundred first-team appearances, scoring ten goals. Following his stint at Stoke City, John played for clubs such as Hereford United, Watford, and Derby County, accumulating a total of 434 appearances and 36 goals in his playing career.

In April 2016, John Eustace ventured into football management, taking on the role of gaffer at Kidderminster Harriers for the 2016-17 season. He achieved playoff berths twice in the National League North during his tenure. After leaving Kidderminster Harriers in May 2018, he joined Queen’s Park Rangers as Assistant Manager under Steve McLaren. In March 2022, he became one of Stephen Kenny’s assistant coaches with the Republic of Ireland.

CCFPA extends their best wishes to John Eustace in his new coaching position and hopes for success for his team, except when they face each other in Lancashire in the penultimate game of the season in late April. Notably, John Eustace inherits a Blackburn Rovers side already featuring former CCFC players, including recent signing John Fleck, Dom Hyam, Yasin Ayari (City loanee earlier this season), and Kyle McFadzean, who made his debut very recently.