Following the sacking of Rangers’ manager Micheal Beale, Birmingham City boss John Eustace has been linked with the vacant seat and former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer believes the 43-year-old should consider the opportunity.
Currently having the Blues one point out of the playoff spots in the Championship, Eustace’s start to the season with Birmingham has reportedly caught the attention of the Scottish Giants. With the likes of former Derby and Chelsea manager Frank Lampard also in consideration for the job role, it is currently unknown who leads the way with a host of names rumoured.
Who Is John Eustace?
A former player, Eustace started his playing career with Coventry City in the Premier League and made 49 appearances in the top division over his career. Going on to play for the likes of Watford, Stoke City, Derby County and Middlesborough, the former midfielder got into management with non-league side Kidderminster Harriers in 2016.
Moving into the Football League when he became assistant manager under Steve McClaren at Queens Park Rangers, Eustace held that role until Micheal Beale came into power in 2022.
However, the former Coventry product wasn’t out of a job for long, when he soon became the Blues’ manager last summer.
Similarities To Micheal Beale?
While their tactical styles on the pitch may be different, Eustace’s current position with Birmingham is similar to when Beale became boss of Rangers.
Both overachieving early on in the Championship and in secure positions with their clubs, Beale took the risk to head up to Scotland and while it was successful at first, ten months down the line he is without a job. If Rangers were to approach Eustace further, he would also find himself in a similar position with many factors to consider.
What’s Been Said:
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer spoke about the size of Rangers and how he should explore the opportunity further.
“My opinion is Rangers are a massive club, and they should be interested. No disrespect to Birmingham City. If the opportunity comes, he can explore the situation and see what is ahead of him before making a final decision, and I think he should do that.
“Whether he should stay at Birmingham or not is always a Catch-22 situation. He showed them loyalty, and then in the summer, Birmingham were taken over by new owners and they were linked with Mark Hughes who is now out of work.
“So who knows what happens in the future. You have to look and make the right decision and make the right decision for you.”
Writer’s View
Eustace’s start to the season with Birmingham definitely warrants interest from Rangers, however, it is a difficult decision to make. While there is no denying Rangers are a big opportunity that may never come around again, their current situation isn’t bright and with a Director of Football also needed, it could take some time to get back on track.
Birmingham also has new investment that clearly values the manager and if they back him appropriately, a return to the Premier League could be a moment that can’t be topped.
