Birmingham City's ridiculous 2023 decision will sting even more amid Blackburn Rovers success: Opinion
09/16/2024 11:01 AM
Birmingham City made one of the most bizarre decisions in recent years when sacking John Eustace, and Blackburn Rovers have benefitted.
Birmingham City might be under the ownership of a highly ambitious American consortium, but it’s safe to say that they made their fair share of poor calls in the 2023/24 campaign.
Perhaps none were as bizarre or as damaging as the call to relieve John Eustace of his duties as manager. The 44-year-old had held the role at St. Andrew’s for over a year and grew stronger and stronger over his tenure.
The Blues were famously sat in and around the play-off picture when the new ownership decided to part ways with Eustace in October 2023. He was duly replaced by Wayne Rooney, who was sacked a matter of months later and by the end of the season, Birmingham City had gone from the play-offs to relegation.
That decision will not be forgotten any time soon, and it will sting for some time. However, the call to part ways with Eustace just continues to age badly as he thrives with Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
The immediate impact
Eustace’s return to the game with Blackburn Rovers wasn’t instant. City quickly moved on from him, but it wasn’t long before fans were longing for their former boss as Rooney endured a dismal stay at St. Andrew’s.
They plummeted down towards the Championship relegation picture, joining Blackburn Rovers in the fight to avoid a drop to League One. The Lancashire outfit took action of their own in the winter of 2024. with Jon Dahl Tomasson departing amid a struggle for form and a breakdown in relationships behind the scenes.
That was when Eustace got his chance, returning to Championship management with Blackburn Rovers.
Results didn’t come straight away, and Rovers were still in the relegation fight with Birmingham City on the final day. However, the spirit the former Blues boss injected at Ewood Park brought a new sense of fight – something that was lacking at his previous club.
As such, he guided Blackburn to safety by City were relegated.
Impressing once again
Eustace was impressing at Birmingham City when they made the call to move him on. After taking time to settle and steer Blackburn Rovers away from relegation, he’s enjoyed a fruitful start to this season just like he did in the last one.
After dispatching of Bristol City 3-0 at the weekend, Rovers are now 3rd in the Championship table. Alongside West Brom and Sheffield United, they’re one of only three undefeated teams left having won three times and draw two in the league to date.
Few expected Eustace’s side to hit such heights, but strong recruitment looks to be setting up Blackburn for a big season. After the frankly ridiculous call to sack the boss, and the different paths they have embarked on since, it’s safe to say the Eustace decision stings more and more as time passes.
Birmingham City might be embarking on an exciting journey with a top coach in Chris Davies.
However, if they hadn’t made the rash move to sack Eustace and bring in Rooney, who knows just where they could be?
The post Birmingham City’s ridiculous 2023 decision will sting even more amid Blackburn Rovers success: Opinion appeared first on The72 - Football League News.
