Blackburn Rovers identify frontrunner John Eustace as the expected replacement for Jon Dahl Tomasson who is expected to leave the club.
John Eustace is currently being considered for the job with reports confirming discussions taking place regarding the future of current boss Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Tomasson could leave Blackburn before their game against Stoke City on Saturday, as he is reportedly very interested in the vacant Sweden job.
Blackburn clarified that Tomasson has not resigned or been dismissed, but there are doubts about his presence in the dugout this weekend.
Blackburn is already preparing a list of potential candidates to replace Tomasson if he does leave after 19 months in charge, and Eustace is at the top of that list according to the Lancashire Telegraph.
The report adds that the relationship between Tomasson and the board after the failed registration of Duncan McGuire while the transfer budget was cut due to their issues in India, leading to Tomasson offering his resignation but the club asked him to stay.
He was also blocked by the club from speaking to the media last Friday, and following the 2-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers. he didn’t hold back.
He said: “It’s a very serious situation.
“But nothing has changed, it was also very serious in the summer when suddenly there was a hand grenade that changed everything with the cutting of the budget.
“That’s probably why [chief executive] Steve Waggott said [the job] first and foremost this season is to stay in the league. I’m a little more ambitious.”
Eustace is #Rovers' preferred choice to take over and a move to bring him in could happen quickly.
Tomasson is still in discussions over finer details of his exit. https://t.co/OV2HHskd1N
— Elliott Jackson (@_ElliottJackson) February 8, 2024
The club’s board admires Eustace and he is currently the candidate they was to take up the head coach position if Tomasson’s departure is confirmed.
Blackburn want the situation swiftly resolved and appoint a successor rather than opting for an interim boss.
If Eustace is their preferred choice, he could potentially find himself managing against Stoke this weekend or facing the club that previously sacked him, Birmingham City, next Tuesday.
Eustace has been out of work since his controversial dismissal by Birmingham in October, and three months since his exit, the club have gone from the playoffs to dropping all the way down the table, showing just how bad a decision it was.
Since then, Eustace has been linked to various managerial vacancies in both the Championship and League One.
During his time as Birmingham manager, the 44-year-old won a total of 21 games of the 63 he was in charge of, resulting in a win percentage of 33.33%.
He was sacked from his duties and replaced by Wayne Rooney, but the change didn’t have the desired impact and Birmingham’s performance rapidly declined.
Rooney was also sacked in January and replaced by Tony Mowbray, who had previously managed Blackburn Rovers.
Twitter users reacted as Blackburn ‘identify’ an early frontrunner in John Eustace as a potential replacement for Jon Dahl Tomasson…
@MarkWhittle1: If JDT does leave #Rovers today, and the rumours that Eustace would take over are correct, I would be happy with that. He would be solid for us which is what we need right now. Did a good job at Birmingham and was unlucky to lose his job there.
@4damJ:
Thanks for everything you did JDT.
Thanks for everything you tried to do… 😢🌹🔵⚪️💔 #rovers #venkysout
@Jam3s_34: Great appointment for #Rovers. Will definitely bring the fans onside and unite the squad. Huge revisionism over Blues fans’ view of him mainly due to trying to justify Rooney’s appointment. Knew the limits of his squad, played to their strengths and the football wasn’t awful.
@Jam3s_34: Of course his first game would be against us 🙈 This is a strong appointment for #Rovers. Thought he’d have got a job prior to this (Stoke, Bristol etc) but be interesting to see how he fairs. Lots of revisionism regarding his time with #bcfc. Something to prove once more.
@ChrisMartin_93: On paper, John Eustace would be a decent appointment for us. He did a decent job at Birmingham and appeared to be sacked quite harshly. And he’s without a club right now. Which suits us. It might not be liquid football, but we don’t need that right now. It could work! #Rovers
@SWilliamson_8: There is no successful team in world football that needs to score 3 goals to win a game. Never has been never will be. This is where the immediate problem lies and it’s the one that needs sorting first. With or without jdt. Paperwork errors don’t help. #Rovers
@gamstjones12: Saturday we need to get behind the players more than ever……the problem starts from the top. But on the pitch we need to get back to winning ways. Whoever is in charge, whoever is chosen to play, stick with this team. #RTID #Rovers
@KroB91875: Tuesday night gonna get tasty 😁😁 #bcfc
@ToweringZigic: If this can happen after Tuesday please, football gods, then that’d be greatly appreciated. On top of the usual new manager bounce, it would turn a winnable game for us into an absolute circus #BCFC
@iamseanyp: Hopefully, this is after our game against them ! Can’t be doing with Eustace returning to St.Andrews and winning with a new manager bounce 🤦🏼♂️
@bexbrfc: I’d be happy with this, get it done rovers
@Luke1Edward: If we can get Eustace then that would be a very good appointment, given the circus of the club at the minute. Eustace should at very least keep us in the league. 🌹
@ChrisLindop6: So long as we set expectation, and we’re honest with the new manager, I’m fine with that! No money and must develop youth. I don’t want to be back in the same situation in 18 months!
@CW_QPR_123: That’s a really good appointment from Blackburn.
@SonnyWa63576024: Would be an unreal appointment
@Kieranbcfc2: Just before they play blues. For fuck sake man. #bcfc
@tombroome24: Happy with that – if true
You must be logged in to post a comment Login