Return to Ewood as Eustace shows gamble worth it

JOHN Eustace makes a first return to Ewood Park tomorrow, nine months since he left a promotion challenge at Blackburn Rovers for a relegation battle with Derby County.

- By BRIAN DICK

Derby County head coach John Eustace and (below) Andi Weimann. They were both at Blackburn Rovers last season.

(GETTY IMAGES SHUTTERSTOCK)

He did so against the backdrop of a distinctly unhappy statement from the Ewood Park outfit who said they were “disappointed by his decision to leave at this crucial stage of the season”.

They did, though, thank him for his work and acknowledge the pull of moving closer to his family and returning to a former club.

In the end Rovers didn't reach the top six, finishing two points shy in seventh, while the Rams evaded the drop in almost miraculous fashion.