Reports from the Lancashire Telegraph have revealed that outgoing Blackburn Rovers manager John Eustace never spoke to club owners Venky’s during his time in charge.
The former Birmingham City manager is set to join Derby County imminently, leaving Ewood Park just over a year after taking charge at the club. He leaves Rovers in the Championship’s play-off hunt and joins a Rams side in a relegation scrap
Communication A Key Factor
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, while there were multiple reasons of why Eustace opted to move to the East Midlands side, one key factor was a lack of communication. They revealed that during his time in charge of Blackburn, the 45-year-old had never spoken directly to any member of the Venky’s family and instead worked with CEO Steve Waggott and COO Suhail Pasha.
It was also noted that Eustace was not told that Academy head Stuart Jones was leaving the club until he was asked about the situation during a press conference. He was also concerned about the club’s high staff turnover and what he viewed as a lack of strategy in the summer transfer market.
The move to Derby was the first formal approach the Rovers manager received after links to Hull City, Coventry City, and Preston North End. Chairman David Clowes asked to meet his prospective manager at his home. Eustace asked for a new contract and future assurances to invest in the playing squad; however, that was turned down, leading to the former Queens Park Rangers boss accepting the role at Pride Park.
Writer’s View
It felt a very strange decision when it was first announced that John Eustace would switch from Blackburn Rovers to Derby County, but this report has made the situation much clearer. The manager felt let down by the club’s actions in both communication and in the transfer market and once having his demands turned down, opted to exit the situation. Whilst now in a much tougher situation with relegation looming for Derby County, The Rams seem to be more willing to back the 45-year-old’s ambitions and likely will stick with him should they go down back to League One. It is not a good look for the Venky’s and this scenario will certainly do them no favours to a fanbase that are already displeased with their time in charge in Lancashire.
