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John Eustace

Updated: Wikipedia source

John Eustace

John Mark Eustace (born 3 November 1979) is an English professional football coach and former player who is head coach of EFL Championship club Derby County. During his playing career, he played as a central midfielder for Coventry City, Stoke City, Watford and Derby County. He also spent time on loan at Dundee United, Middlesbrough and Hereford United. After retiring as a player, Eustace served as manager of Kidderminster Harriers between 2016 and 2018, eventually leaving to become assistant manager of Queens Park Rangers in 2018. He had a brief spell as caretaker manager of QPR in 2019. Eustace served as head coach of Birmingham City between July 2022 to October 2023. He was appointed head coach of Blackburn Rovers in February 2024, before leaving to become Derby County head coach in February 2025.

Infobox

2003
→ Middlesbrough (loan)
2006
→ Hereford United (loan)
2009
→ Derby County (loan)
2019
Queens Park Rangers (caretaker)
Full name
John Mark Eustace
Date of birth
(1979-11-03) 3 November 1979 (age 46)
Place of birth
Solihull, England
Position
Midfielder
Current team
Derby County (head coach)
Years
Team
1996–2003
Coventry City
1998–1999
→ Dundee United (loan)
2003–2008
Stoke City
2008–2013
Watford
2013–2015
Derby County
2016–2018
Kidderminster Harriers
2022–2023
Birmingham City
2024–2025
Blackburn Rovers
2025–
Derby County

Tables

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[63] · Career statistics › As a player
Division
Division
Club
Division
Season
Apps
League
Goals
League
Apps
League
Goals
FA Cup
Apps
FA Cup
Goals
League Cup
Apps
League Cup
Goals
Other
Apps
Other
Goals
Coventry City
Coventry City
Club
Coventry City
Season
1998–99
League
Premier League
League
0
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
—
Other
0
Total
0
1999–2000
1999–2000
Club
1999–2000
Season
Premier League
League
16
League
1
League
3
FA Cup
1
FA Cup
2
League Cup
0
League Cup
—
Other
21
Other
2
2000–01
2000–01
Club
2000–01
Season
Premier League
League
31
League
2
League
1
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
4
League Cup
2
League Cup
—
Other
36
Other
4
2001–02
2001–02
Club
2001–02
Season
First Division
League
6
League
0
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
—
Other
6
Other
0
2002–03
2002–03
Club
2002–03
Season
First Division
League
32
League
4
League
1
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
2
League Cup
0
League Cup
—
Other
35
Other
4
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
85
League
7
League
5
League
1
FA Cup
8
FA Cup
2
League Cup
—
League Cup
98
Other
10
Dundee United (loan)
Dundee United (loan)
Club
Dundee United (loan)
Season
1998–99
League
Scottish Premier League
League
11
League
1
FA Cup
2
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
—
Other
13
Total
1
Middlesbrough (loan)
Middlesbrough (loan)
Club
Middlesbrough (loan)
Season
2002–03
League
Premier League
League
1
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
—
Other
1
Total
0
Stoke City
Stoke City
Club
Stoke City
Season
2003–04
League
First Division
League
26
League
5
FA Cup
2
FA Cup
1
League Cup
2
League Cup
0
Other
—
Other
30
Total
6
2004–05
2004–05
Club
2004–05
Season
Championship
League
7
League
0
League
1
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
—
Other
8
Other
0
2005–06
2005–06
Club
2005–06
Season
Championship
League
0
League
0
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
—
Other
0
Other
0
2006–07
2006–07
Club
2006–07
Season
Championship
League
15
League
0
League
1
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
1
League Cup
0
League Cup
—
Other
17
Other
0
2007–08
2007–08
Club
2007–08
Season
Championship
League
26
League
0
League
2
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
1
League Cup
0
League Cup
—
Other
29
Other
0
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
74
League
5
League
6
League
1
FA Cup
4
FA Cup
0
League Cup
—
League Cup
84
Other
6
Hereford United (loan)
Hereford United (loan)
Club
Hereford United (loan)
Season
2006–07
League
League Two
League
8
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
0
Other
0
Total
8
Total
0
Watford
Watford
Club
Watford
Season
2007–08
League
Championship
League
13
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
2
Other
0
Total
15
Total
0
2008–09
2008–09
Club
2008–09
Season
Championship
League
17
League
2
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
—
Other
17
Other
2
2009–10
2009–10
Club
2009–10
Season
Championship
League
42
League
4
League
1
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
2
League Cup
0
League Cup
—
Other
45
Other
4
2010–11
2010–11
Club
2010–11
Season
Championship
League
41
League
6
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
1
League Cup
0
League Cup
—
Other
42
Other
6
2011–12
2011–12
Club
2011–12
Season
Championship
League
39
League
4
League
2
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
1
League Cup
0
League Cup
—
Other
42
Other
4
2012–13
2012–13
Club
2012–13
Season
Championship
League
5
League
0
League
1
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
1
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
0
Other
7
Total
0
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
157
League
16
League
4
League
0
FA Cup
5
FA Cup
0
League Cup
2
League Cup
0
Other
168
Other
16
Derby County (loan)
Derby County (loan)
Club
Derby County (loan)
Season
2008–09
League
Championship
League
9
League
1
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
0
League Cup
0
League Cup
0
Other
—
Other
9
Total
1
Derby County
Derby County
Club
Derby County
Season
2013–14
League
Championship
League
35
League
1
FA Cup
1
FA Cup
0
League Cup
2
League Cup
0
Other
1
Other
0
Total
39
Total
1
2014–15
2014–15
Club
2014–15
Season
Championship
League
13
League
1
League
0
FA Cup
0
FA Cup
1
League Cup
0
League Cup
—
Other
14
Other
1
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
57
League
3
League
1
League
0
FA Cup
3
FA Cup
0
League Cup
1
League Cup
0
Other
62
Other
3
Career total
Career total
Club
Career total
Season
393
League
32
League
18
League
2
FA Cup
20
FA Cup
2
League Cup
3
League Cup
0
Other
434
Other
36
Club
Season
League
FA Cup
League Cup
Other
Total
Division
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Coventry City
1998–99
Premier League
0
0
0
0
0
0
—
0
0
1999–2000
Premier League
16
1
3
1
2
0
—
21
2
2000–01
Premier League
31
2
1
0
4
2
—
36
4
2001–02
First Division
6
0
0
0
0
0
—
6
0
2002–03
First Division
32
4
1
0
2
0
—
35
4
Total
85
7
5
1
8
2
—
98
10
Dundee United (loan)
1998–99
Scottish Premier League
11
1
2
0
0
0
—
13
1
Middlesbrough (loan)
2002–03
Premier League
1
0
0
0
0
0
—
1
0
Stoke City
2003–04
First Division
26
5
2
1
2
0
—
30
6
2004–05
Championship
7
0
1
0
0
0
—
8
0
2005–06
Championship
0
0
0
0
0
0
—
0
0
2006–07
Championship
15
0
1
0
1
0
—
17
0
2007–08
Championship
26
0
2
0
1
0
—
29
0
Total
74
5
6
1
4
0
—
84
6
Hereford United (loan)
2006–07
League Two
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
Watford
2007–08
Championship
13
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
15
0
2008–09
Championship
17
2
0
0
0
0
—
17
2
2009–10
Championship
42
4
1
0
2
0
—
45
4
2010–11
Championship
41
6
0
0
1
0
—
42
6
2011–12
Championship
39
4
2
0
1
0
—
42
4
2012–13
Championship
5
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
7
0
Total
157
16
4
0
5
0
2
0
168
16
Derby County (loan)
2008–09
Championship
9
1
0
0
0
0
—
9
1
Derby County
2013–14
Championship
35
1
1
0
2
0
1
0
39
1
2014–15
Championship
13
1
0
0
1
0
—
14
1
Total
57
3
1
0
3
0
1
0
62
3
Career total
393
32
18
2
20
2
3
0
434
36
Managerial record by team and tenure · Career statistics › As a manager
P
P
Team
P
From
W
To
D
Record
L
Record
Win %
Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers
Team
Kidderminster Harriers
From
1 June 2016
To
25 May 2018
Record
104
Record
57
Record
21
Record
26
Record
054.81
Queens Park Rangers (caretaker)
Queens Park Rangers (caretaker)
Team
Queens Park Rangers (caretaker)
From
1 April 2019
To
8 May 2019
Record
7
Record
2
Record
1
Record
4
Record
028.57
Birmingham City
Birmingham City
Team
Birmingham City
From
3 July 2022
To
9 October 2023
Record
63
Record
21
Record
16
Record
26
Record
033.33
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers
Team
Blackburn Rovers
From
11 February 2024
To
13 February 2025
Record
52
Record
18
Record
15
Record
19
Record
034.62
Derby County
Derby County
Team
Derby County
From
13 February 2025
To
Present
Record
36
Record
13
Record
10
Record
13
Record
036.11
Total
Total
Team
Total
From
262
To
111
Record
63
Record
88
Record
042.37
Team
From
To
Record
Ref(s)
P
W
D
L
Win %
Kidderminster Harriers
1 June 2016
25 May 2018
104
57
21
26
054.81
Queens Park Rangers (caretaker)
1 April 2019
8 May 2019
7
2
1
4
028.57
Birmingham City
3 July 2022
9 October 2023
63
21
16
26
033.33
Blackburn Rovers
11 February 2024
13 February 2025
52
18
15
19
034.62
Derby County
13 February 2025
Present
36
13
10
13
036.11
Total
262
111
63
88
042.37

References

  1. Appearances in Championship play-offs
  2. Eustace's Kidderminster appointment was announced on 21 April 2016 but he did not take charge of the team for what remai
  3. Eustace's Blackburn appointment was announced on 9 February, but first-team coaches David Lowe and Damien Johnson took c
  4. Soccerbase include the win against West Bromwich Albion on 12 February 2025, the day before Eustace formally left Blackb
  5. Barry Hugman's Footballers
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240608000000/http://barryhugmansfootballers.com/player/5994
  6. Sporting Life
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120036/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/7942201/hearts-4-dundee-utd-1
  7. Blackburn Rovers FC
    https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/february/09/in-profile--john-eustace/
  8. Coventry Telegraph
    https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/coventry-city-birmingham-john-eustace-25052030
  9. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/1847631.stm
  10. Coventry Evening Telegraph
    https://www.thefreelibrary.com/FOOTBALL%3A+FOWLER+FILLIP%3B+City+youngster+gets+chance+as+Eustace+heads...-a096502842
  11. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/2752491.stm
  12. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/3078635.stm
  13. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/4218221.stm
  14. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/4362753.stm
  15. "Pulis pleased by Eustace progress"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/5120426.stm
  16. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hereford_united/6048522.stm
  17. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hereford_united/6213786.stm
  18. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6184443.stm
  19. Hereford Times
    https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/989138.family-connection-at-edgar-street/
  20. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6289076.stm
  21. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7220695.stm
  22. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7614022.stm
  23. "Watford Midfielder Joins Rams on Loan"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090312032639/http://therams.co.uk/stories/watford-midfielder-set-to-join-rams-on-loan
  24. "Watford 3–1 Derby"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8015234.stm
  25. "Midfielder back with Hornets"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090603024244/http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0%2C16368%2C1807_5288104%2C00.html
  26. Derby Telegraph
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140308120136/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Eustace-Watford/story-11570691-detail/story.html
  27. "Eustace signs!"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100605055845/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10400~2063441%2C00.html
  28. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/watford/8718175.stm
  29. "Captain Eustace sets the record straight"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100608195350/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10400~2064203%2C00.html
  30. BBC Sport
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8880936.stm
  31. "2010/11 Awards: Goal of the season"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110829103333/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10400~2350954%2C00.html
  32. Watford Observer
    http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9166711._Eustace_staying_is_sign_of_Watford_s_intent_/
  33. Watford Observer
    http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/10513800.Eustace_to_seek_more_game_time_elsewhere/
  34. "Eustace Training With Derby"
    http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/eustace-training-with-derby-889453.aspx
  35. Derby Telegraph
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130726153350/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/John-Eustace-agrees-year-deal-Derby-County/story-19555640-detail/story.html
  36. Derby Telegraph
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130728064201/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Eustace-signs-year-deal-Derby-County/story-19562594-detail/story.html
  37. Derby Telegraph
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130801090549/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Nigel-Clough-rush-land-central-defender-Derby/story-19582413-detail/story.html
  38. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23499347
  39. Derby Telegraph
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150622212003/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-John-Eustace-injury-huge-blow-says/story-25867699-detail/story.html#ixzz3do6nWdep
  40. Derby Telegraph
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150923224609/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Rams-midfielder-John-Eustace-knee-op/story-25863238-detail/story.html
  41. Derby Telegraph
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150614032838/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-John-Eustace-released-Rams/story-26680960-detail/story.html
  42. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33229982
  43. The FA
    https://thebootroom.thefa.com/resources/interviews/john-eustace/the-small-details
  44. "Harriers confirm details of new Manager and potential Head of Coaching"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160530234009/http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/article/harriers-confirm-details-of-new-manager-and-potential-head-of-coaching-3073176.aspx
  45. Kidderminster Harriers
    https://harriers.co.uk/news/2018/05/25/john-eustace-departs/
  46. Worcester News
    https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/15705364.forget-barcelona-get-yourself-to-kidderminster-harriers/
  47. "John Eustace named QPR assistant manager"
    https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/john-eustace-named-qpr-assistant-manager/
  48. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57923015
  49. The FA
    https://thebootroom.thefa.com/resources/coaching/pro-licence-communicating-with-confidence
  50. www.fai.ie
    https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/john-eustace-appointed-ireland-assistant-coach
  51. QPR
    https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/john-eustace-and-matt-gardiner-depart-qpr-160622/
  52. "John Eustace appointed as Blues Head Coach"
    https://www.bcfc.com/news/club/john-eustace-appointed-as-blues-head-coach
  53. Birmingham Mail
    https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/marc-roberts-birmingham-city-season-26790512
  54. www.bcfc.com
    https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/club-statement-john-eustace
  55. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/clke3rznglet
  56. Sky Sports
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13040871/wayne-rooney-birmingham-sack-manager-after-15-games-in-charge-of-championship-club
  57. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cj65gr79982o
  58. "Club Statement: John Eustace Appointed Derby County Head Coach"
    https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/february/09/eustace-appointed-rovers-head-coach/
  59. "Club Statement: John Eustace appointed Derby County Head Coach"
    https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2025/02/club-statement-john-eustace-appointed-derby-county-head-coach
  60. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgrn8wddwv9o
  61. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cp8kx34j0r7t
  62. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c5y9qyy0xvnt
  63. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cgq9z8xxqgvt
  64. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/czx7x33wxzgt
  65. Derby Telegraph
    https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-transfers-eustace-relegation-10186073
  66. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c0lk89lpk4jo
  67. Soccerbase
    http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543
  68. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=128
  69. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=129
  70. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=130
  71. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=131
  72. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=132
  73. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=133
  74. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=134
  75. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=135
  76. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=136
  77. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=137
  78. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=138
  79. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=139
  80. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=140
  81. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=141
  82. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=142
  83. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=143
  84. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10543&season_id=144
  85. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1436&season_id=156&teamTabs=results
  86. Soccerway
    https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/kidderminster-harriers-fc/746/matches/
  87. Soccerbase
    https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=3930
  88. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn8xmkgegd3o
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