Head coach of Blackburn John Eustace has left the Championship promotion chasers to become boss of relegation-threatened Derby County on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
He was absent from Blackburn’s win at West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, where they lifted Rovers up to fifth in the table – 19 points and 16 places above Derby.
Eustace first game in- charge of the Pride Park side, with whom he had two spells as a player, will be Friday’s trip to Queens Park Rangers.
It was on late Monday when Blackburn “reluctantly” gave Eustace permission to begin talks with their lowly Championship rivals, who sacked Paul Warne on Friday.
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Despite meeting with Derby officials on Tuesday, Eustace was not spotted at Pride Park later that day as the Rams shared the points with Oxford United in an uneventful draw that lifted them out of the relegation places on goals scored.
Assistant head coach Matt Gardiner and first-team coach Keith Downing also leave Blackburn to join Eustace at Derby.
Derby owner David Clowes said he is “excited to welcome” Eustace back to Pride Park, where he ended his playing career a decade ago.
“Fans will remember him for his craft, commitment and intelligence, he was a real leader.
“I’ve followed his managerial career with interest, and it’s clear he has the qualities we need to maintain our progress,” Clowes said.
