Eustace…he gone…*official*

[cesus]

4 minutes ago, Forever Blue said:

They just sold a player and reinvested 50% of monies received on new players. We reinvest less than 10%. 
 

I can see why he’d want to go there.

 

Me too, I'm saying they will be very much expecting him to keep them up.

[Iceman]

I guess he doesn't like being in the top 6 

 

Eustace returned to management with Birmingham City in the summer of 2022 and left the Blues early in the 2023/24 season despite being in a top six spot. He returned to management in February 2024 at Blackburn Rovers and, after guiding them to safety, he guided them into the top six in the current campaign.

[Herbie6590]

2 hours ago, Trinidad Rover said:

Why John Eustace left Blackburn - The Times

Another good article in a national paper.

Balanced but once again the players and us fans come out on top.

Gregor Robertson has written excellently about us in the past…he gets it…

[Herbie6590]

16 minutes ago, Iceman said:

I guess he doesn't like being in the top 6 

 

Eustace returned to management with Birmingham City in the summer of 2022 and left the Blues early in the 2023/24 season despite being in a top six spot. He returned to management in February 2024 at Blackburn Rovers and, after guiding them to safety, he guided them into the top six in the current campaign.

That’s incredibly disingenuous & I suspect you know it…🤨

[Eddie]

15 minutes ago, Admiral Nelsen said:

Agree the football was defensive (personally that doesn't bother me, but I appreciate others care more). But staying up last year was largely about the solidity he introduced. Szmodics' goals were essential too, but he was banging them in under JDT in the final months & that wasn't delivering us points. I think when JDT had got us so committed to a particular way of playing over a decent period of time, it's quite hard to 'unlearn' that overnight. So I think the fact that we were generally hard to beat is testament to the work he did, and bar the odd hiccup like Bristol City you could see a positive direction of travel. 

I'm not going to give him the Stoke win, so his record last season was (I think) Won 3, Drew 8, Lost 5. It was OK, but we were never in the drop zone and the continuation of some fairly mediocre form saw us get dragged further into a relegation fight and then 'saved'. He also benefited from Szmodics scoring 10 of the 15 goals under his watch. Without that purple patch we would have gone down. That wasn't due to his tactics, that was a single player hitting form.

The beginning of this season is where he really impressed, but he lost the plot over the last few weeks. We were in a slide and any hopes of the playoffs were fading fast. I still think we will miss out as our squad is thin and lacks quality in key areas, but a new manager will at least give us a chance.

Based on the way some speak about him on here you would imagine he was one of our best ever managers. He was OK. In many ways, his stint is eerily similar to JDT - although JDT delivered a quality of football that Eustace failed to match. The lows were not as low as under JDT, nor were the highs anywhere near as high.

Also, 'the odd hiccup' is a very generous way of describing the Bristol City debacle, but I understand where you are coming from. 

I'm 'meh' about him leaving. I think we can do better and I think a manager might give this squad the lift that they need to challenge fro the playoffs. But the reasons why he left depress me and make me feel worse about the club. 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Could we do better - yes. Will we do better - probably not.

Edited February 13 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[DE.]

39 minutes ago, Iceman said:

I guess he doesn't like being in the top 6 

 

Eustace returned to management with Birmingham City in the summer of 2022 and left the Blues early in the 2023/24 season despite being in a top six spot. He returned to management in February 2024 at Blackburn Rovers and, after guiding them to safety, he guided them into the top six in the current campaign.

I mean, he was sacked from Birmingham so what was he supposed to do? Keep taking training and going to the dugout on match day regardless? 

[Admiral Nelsen]

48 minutes ago, Eddie said:

I'm not going to give him the Stoke win, so his record last season was (I think) Won 3, Drew 8, Lost 5. It was OK, but we were never in the drop zone and the continuation of some fairly mediocre form saw us get dragged further into a relegation fight and then 'saved'. He also benefited from Szmodics scoring 10 of the 15 goals under his watch. Without that purple patch we would have gone down. That wasn't due to his tactics, that was a single player hitting form.

The beginning of this season is where he really impressed, but he lost the plot over the last few weeks. We were in a slide and any hopes of the playoffs were fading fast. I still think we will miss out as our squad is thin and lacks quality in key areas, but a new manager will at least give us a chance.

Based on the way some speak about him on here you would imagine he was one of our best ever managers. He was OK. In many ways, his stint is eerily similar to JDT - although JDT delivered a quality of football that Eustace failed to match. The lows were not as low as under JDT, nor were the highs anywhere near as high.

Also, 'the odd hiccup' is a very generous way of describing the Bristol City debacle, but I understand where you are coming from. 

I'm 'meh' about him leaving. I think we can do better and I think a manager might give this squad the lift that they need to challenge fro the playoffs. But the reasons why he left depress me and make me feel worse about the club. 

 

Like the first post I quoted, it's a totally valid view. I think a lot of it comes down to how you view the first half of the season until JTD left. Early doors we played some great stuff (and had Adam Wharton). When it went wrong we looked absolutely abysmal, and so whilst Eustace's results *overall* were pretty similar, when you look at JDT's spell in two chunks then it felt like he pulled us out of a real nosedive. Tomasson may have also done that of course, but he wouldn't have done that by making us more solid. I think that was needed for us to stay up, and it's what we've carried on into this season. 

 

We've certainly had better managers and he's not been here long enough for me to feel particularly attached or let down. But I wish we still had him. 

[Eddie]

3 minutes ago, Admiral Nelsen said:

Tomasson may have also done that of course, but he wouldn't have done that by making us more solid. I think that was needed for us to stay up, and it's what we've carried on into this season. 

I don't think he would have. We were going down under JDT. He had checked out and we were not adjusting at all. But I think just about any manager could have kept us up.

[Rover down South]

Just listened in on Radio Derby to Eustace first interview to see what he had to say. Main points relevant to Blackburn was:

- First approach was made on Friday.

- Bought into the long term vision of the club (Derby) which backs up the rumour of assurances he was seeking with us.

- Wanted to be part of a club that cares about its history.

- Not had any communications with club owners since has time at Kidderminster.

Time for us to move on, but was interested in what he would say. I'm sure there will be more to add as apparently a number of national press were present.

[Groundhog]

Eustace is still somewhat unproven, the media find it quite an easy narrative to spin that he's taken two teams into the top 6 - but he's not had a full season at a club other than Kidderminster, and hasn't been anywhere long enough to see if he can pull a team out of a bad run, or turn around an unhappy dressing room. We've lost 5 of the last 8 and before WBA the team looked lost, especially away from home.

The Second Tier podcast said today that it was a "massive coup for Derby", I'm not denying he's got the makings of a great Championship manager, but on paper he's achieved nothing so far. He might make Derby hard to beat, but for me the biggest criticism of Eustace is that we are/were so poor in the final third, and we were too "efficient", winning only by 1 most times, further enhancing the fine margins aspect. As with JDT, if our slick passing didn't make the grade, we'd lose, and wouldn't come back. Most importantly though, as everyone is saying, he doesn't have a Szmodics this time, it'll be interesting to watch. 

[Exiled_Rover]

20 minutes ago, Rover down South said:

Just listened in on Radio Derby to Eustace first interview to see what he had to say. Main points relevant to Blackburn was:

- First approach was made on Friday.

- Bought into the long term vision of the club (Derby) which backs up the rumour of assurances he was seeking with us.

- Wanted to be part of a club that cares about its history.

- Not had any communications with club owners since has time at Kidderminster.

Time for us to move on, but was interested in what he would say. I'm sure there will be more to add as apparently a number of national press were present.

I watched the 90 second clip on Twitter, which was edited for the Rovers relevant parts.

https://x.com/SkySportsNews/status/1890035654106415424

 

He comes across very poorly - there's a constant smirk plastered to his face, which breaks out into a full blown grin at the Kidderminster / owners question "Not really". 

The worst thing is he's now on record as lying. He said after the FA Cup game that he'd heard today (Sunday) about the approach from Derby and he needed to talk to the Board. Obviously today he's just said Derby first approached him on Friday. From one of our board members we know that the approach was made even earlier than that.

I hope he takes them down. 

[pedrob2014]

Whilst you cant blame anyone for not wanting to work under these owners, he has lied to us all after preaching togetherness and a family atmosphere.  If he was approached on Friday he should have told the club of his wishes then and asked not to take the game on Sunday

[yellowsubmarine]

Just 5 days apart. abit of me feels sad we lost a good manager who potentially can be one of our best managers in recent years.

Before Wolves game.

Today

[RevidgeBlue]

5 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I watched the 90 second clip on Twitter, which was edited for the Rovers relevant parts.

https://x.com/SkySportsNews/status/1890035654106415424

 

He comes across very poorly - there's a constant smirk plastered to his face, which breaks out into a full blown grin at the Kidderminster / owners question "Not really". 

The worst thing is he's now on record as lying. He said after the FA Cup game that he'd heard today (Sunday) about the approach from Derby and he needed to talk to the Board. Obviously today he's just said Derby first approached him on Friday. From one of our board members we know that the approach was made even earlier than that.

I hope he takes them down. 

I mean, he was obviously insulting everyone's intelligence when he said he was unaware of the Derby approach after the FA Cup game but what's he meant to say?

"Yes I know about it and I'd love to go!" ?

After the job he did here Im surprised anyone would forensically trawl through his every comment looking for mistakes.

Eustace has gone. The problems we have are still very much here despite a good win last night.

[Exiled_Rover]

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

I mean, he was obviously insulting everyone's intelligence when he said he was unaware of the Derby approach after the FA Cup game but what's he meant to say?

"Yes I know about it and I'd love to go!" ?

After the job he did here Im surprised anyone would forensically trawl through his every comment looking for mistakes.

Eustace has gone. The problems we have are still very much here despite a good win last night.

I haven't forensically trawled through his comments - I've looked at his last two media interviews. 

He didn't have to lie.

Look at the thread, I don't blame him for going, but he's been duplicitous throughout this process and comes out the other side looking much worse. 

Ultimately it's all about results on the pitch, so he can still sell that he's a man of character if Derby survive, but he's shown his true colours here. 

[RevidgeBlue]

1 minute ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I haven't forensically trawled through his comments - I've looked at his last two media interviews. 

He didn't have to lie.

Look at the thread, I don't blame him for going, but he's been duplicitous throughout this process and comes out the other side looking much worse. 

Ultimately it's all about results on the pitch, so he can still sell that he's a man of character if Derby survive, but he's shown his true colours here. 

I think everyone is guilty of expecting him to behave like a fan tbh. For me no blame attaches to him whatsoever. It's all on ownership and management.

If the LT are to be believed he also even gave the Club one last chance to resolve matters but they rebuffed him completely.

[RTM08]

6 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I haven't forensically trawled through his comments - I've looked at his last two media interviews. 

He didn't have to lie.

Look at the thread, I don't blame him for going, but he's been duplicitous throughout this process and comes out the other side looking much worse. 

Ultimately it's all about results on the pitch, so he can still sell that he's a man of character if Derby survive, but he's shown his true colours here. 

He could have said "I was aware of an approach on Friday, but I wanted to finish preparing for the Wolves game and will speak to the board about it afterwards", or probably another 50 different things that kept his stock with the fans.

Instead, he lied to their face and it's hard to argue with the crowd calling him a snake, regardless of the off field issues.

[Eddie]

14 minutes ago, RTM08 said:

He could have said "I was aware of an approach on Friday, but I wanted to finish preparing for the Wolves game and will speak to the board about it afterwards", or probably another 50 different things that kept his stock with the fans.

Instead, he lied to their face and it's hard to argue with the crowd calling him a snake, regardless of the off field issues.

He's too thick to lie properly or massage the truth.

As for the permanent smile...don't you all remember the dumb grin he would have in post-match interviews even as we were struggling last season? 

He might be a good coach (jury still mostly out), but he's not a smart man.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

16 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

I think everyone is guilty of expecting him to behave like a fan tbh. For me no blame attaches to him whatsoever. It's all on ownership and management.

If the LT are to be believed he also even gave the Club one last chance to resolve matters but they rebuffed him completely.

They probably realised that even if they agreed to his demands he’d only be here until West Brom or Boro or Big Club etc etc came calling in the not too distant future. 

[rog of the rovers]

Ironically missed his first open goal.

"I wish I could have built something at Blackburn, the history, the quality players I had worked with and, importantly, the fans deserve all the success....unfortunately the ownership and hierarchy at the club are hindering that progress. I there saw an opportunity to work for a more passionate, visible and ambitious owner and I've taken that gamble..."

Thats what he should have said 🔝

His jibes will be taken personally by the players and us fans alike.

The disappointing episode has its typically disparaging conclusion.

[RevidgeBlue]

4 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

They probably realised that even if they agreed to his demands he’d only be here until West Brom or Boro or Big Club etc etc came calling in the not too distant future. 

Doesnt matter. We only needed him here until the end of the season.

Plus if they acceded to his wishes on player contracts it would be to the Clubs benefit in the long run.

[RevidgeBlue]

12 minutes ago, Eddie said:

He's too thick to lie properly or massage the truth.

As for the permanent smile...don't you all remember the dumb grin he would have in post-match interviews even as we were struggling last season? 

He might be a good coach (jury still mostly out), but he's not a smart man.

Sorry got to give that nasty little personal attack on him the thumbs down.

[RevidgeBlue]

6 minutes ago, rog of the rovers said:

Ironically missed his first open goal.

"I wish I could have built something at Blackburn, the history, the quality players I had worked with and, importantly, the fans deserve all the success....unfortunately the ownership and hierarchy at the club are hindering that progress. I there saw an opportunity to work for a more passionate, visible and ambitious owner and I've taken that gamble..."

Thats what he should have said 🔝

His jibes will be taken personally by the players and us fans alike.

The disappointing episode has its typically disparaging conclusion.

No departing manager is ever going to say that in public about his former Club.

Ever.

He's been careful to leak his reasons for leaving though. Seemingly to the LT.

[chaddyrovers]

6 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Note the key word if.

You have bemoaned the delays yourself so probably doesnt warrant another childish thumbs down which as a general feature adds nothing to the forum.

Yes I bemoaned the lack of communication from Rovers over this situation to us the fans. 

Yes I bemoaned the situation not be sorted quickly over whether Eustace was staying or going. 

That's what I bemoaned about. 

 

5 hours ago, Paul Mani said:

Gone!!

A proper clear statement to the supporters of our club and communicated properly what has happened and what the plan is. 

Exactly what I wanted for the last 4 days. 

1 hour ago, Rover down South said:

Just listened in on Radio Derby to Eustace first interview to see what he had to say. Main points relevant to Blackburn was:

- First approach was made on Friday.

- Bought into the long term vision of the club (Derby) which backs up the rumour of assurances he was seeking with us.

- Wanted to be part of a club that cares about its history.

- Not had any communications with club owners since has time at Kidderminster.

Time for us to move on, but was interested in what he would say. I'm sure there will be more to add as apparently a number of national press were present.

very disappointed to hear he was approach on Friday and his words post words on Sunday that he didn't know about the approach until after the words was lies. Should we be surprised or shocked by that? Not at all. Eustace did a brilliant job here but Rovers and John should have sorted this situation better from both side. I wish him well now in his decision but Rovers need to move on, get 3 points on Saturday and appoint a new head coach when we find the right appointment