John Eustace has denied reports associating him with positions outside of Blackburn Rovers.
Prior to making their new appointments, both Coventry City and Hull City expressed interest in the Rovers’ head coach. That did not go any farther than appreciative glances, and Rovers have not received any formal approaches for Eustace at this time.
Wolves become the fourth team this week to be linked with a move after sacking Gary O’Neil. Similarly, they sought elsewhere and hired Vitor Pereira. Southampton are also regarded to be unlikely to make any moves.
John Eustace has denied reports associating him with positions outside of Blackburn Rovers.
Prior to making their new appointments, both Coventry City and Hull City expressed interest in the Rovers’ head coach. That did not go any farther than appreciative glances, and Rovers have not received any formal approaches for Eustace at this time.
Wolves become the fourth team this week to be linked with a move after sacking Gary O’Neil. Similarly, they sought elsewhere and hired Vitor Pereira. Southampton are also regarded to be unlikely to make any moves.
Eustace has 18 months remaining on his Rovers deal, which extends until the summer of 2026. Speculation is understandable given how well he and the team have fared this season.
He claimed, however, that he is content at Ewood Park and has paid no attention to outside speculation about his future.
“I don’t really take much notice of what is going on outside the football club, I don’t know if I’m being spoken about,” he told me.
“Every day, I am focused on strengthening these players, developing the correct game plans, and ensuring that everyone is satisfied on the training ground.
“I don’t care or pay much attention to everything else that happens. Nothing changed for me.
“It’s a compliment to the players; they’ve got to follow our instructions and accomplish what we want every day. They are playing great football and doing exactly what we want.
“My job is to nurture the guys here and ensure our success. We are ten months into it. I said I wanted to come here and establish something exceptional, and that’s exactly what I want to accomplish.”
Rovers’ top-six credentials will be tested over the festive season, with Millwall starting five games in 14 days. Four of those are against teams pursuing the same goals as Blackburn.
Eustace enjoys this time of year, having spent his first Christmas outside of the football bubble last year after leaving Birmingham City.
Undoubtedly, the second half of the campaign will provide fresh challenges. Rovers’ previous record does not have to be reproduced, but their perceived overachievement may influence how opponents set up against them.
This will present new obstacles for both players and management to adjust to. Eustace feels that this is normal, regardless of whether a team is successful or not.
“The Christmas period is a very exciting period for football, home and away it’s full houses and a good buzz,” remarked the coach.
“We are looking forward to this period. It felt strange to me last year to enjoy a full Christmas at home, but it is in my DNA. I hadn’t had one in 25 to 30 years.
“It was unusual, but I enjoyed it. It was lovely, but I’m used to it and want to be active around Christmas.
“After 20 games, we’re where we are because of what we’re doing and how we play. It’s not a fluke. We believe in it and wish to continue building.
“Everyone involved should be proud, but there is a lot of work ahead. We need to keep our levels up.
“We’ll have to see how things change; we’ve been in the top six for most of the season.” We came out a little bit, but we were there early on and remain so now.
“I think no matter how well you’re doing or not doing when you play against the opposition once, you know their strengths and weaknesses and you do set-up different when you play them again.”
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