Derby County plans approach for Blackburn's John Eustace

Derby County is actively seeking a new manager following the sacking of Paul Warne, who was dismissed after a poor run of seven consecutive league defeats. Blackburn Rovers' John Eustace has emerged as a primary target for Derby, but they would need to pay significant compensation of £750,000 to secure his services due to his contract running until 2026. Despite Blackburn's recent struggles, Eustace has them positioned in the playoff spots, leading some pundits to question why he would leave for a relegation battle at Derby. Paul Merson has suggested that managing Derby could still be an appealing opportunity, regardless of their current standings. Derby aims to appoint a new manager before their crucial match against Oxford United, as they fight to avoid relegation from the Championship. The club's owner expressed concern over the team's performance and the need for a turnaround to meet their goal of staying in the Championship.