3/1 To Win
John Eustace spoke for the first time since becoming Derby County’s new Head Coach on Thursday afternoon and quickly admitted he was 'honoured' to take on the role as he looked ahead to Friday’s Sky Bet Championship clash at Queens Park Rangers (8pm kick-off).
The 45-year-old was unveiled as Derby’s new Head Coach on Thursday morning. The move sees him return to the club where he spent two spells and made 62 appearances as a player, before concluding his playing career in 2015.
His first game in charge will come at Queens Park Rangers on Friday night. Eustace spent time on the coaching staff at the London club under the tutelage of former Rams boss Steve McClaren and Mark Warburton and had a spell as Caretaker Manager of the Hoops in 2019.
He spoke exclusively with RamsTV about his expectations and ambitions for the club ahead of his first game in the Derby dugout.
On joining Derby County…
It’s a privilege to be here. I'm very honoured to be the head coach and I know the club very well. I had some fantastic times here as a player and I want to try and bring those times back.
When I met David [Clowes], he really sold the project to me about the club and where they want to be in the next three or four years. They've allowed me to help build the club and create something special and it was an opportunity too good to turn down really.
On returning to Derby as head coach…
When you've been part of the Derby County family and you know what they're all about and you appreciate the size of the club and the support that comes through the gates every week, home and away. It's a huge football club and I want to try and help this football club get back to where it should be and that's in the Premier League.
On Matt Gardiner and Keith Downing joining him as coaching staff…
They've been part of my journey throughout my managing career up to now and they're fantastic people. They're only going to help the group, and I think it was important that they came along and had a taste of this top, top football club.
On assessing the squad he is taking charge of…
I think they're a really honest bunch of players. We need to get that confidence back instilled into them. The lads have been on a difficult run of results, but they've showed that fighting spirit in the last few games and we are going to need that to stay in the league. The group are ready to work as hard as they can to make sure we get some really positive results in the last 14 matches.
On having a long-term vision for the club...
I'm here to build. I'm here to bring success back to the football club. I'm not here for the short term; I'm here for the long term. The opportunity to come after speaking to David Clowes and help get this football club back into the Premier League, however long it takes. I want to be part of that journey. I know how special the club is. I've played here, so I'm really looking forward to it.
