John Eustace is set to leave Derby County, with a mutual agreement on his exit now expected. The manager's departure comes with the club deep in a relegation battle, sitting 23rd in the Championship with only seven points from 14 games, a record of just one win and four draws.
Eustace is 47 and has been in charge at Pride Park since his appointment in February 2025. Discussions between the head coach and club chiefs were held on Wednesday, paving the way for a separation. He is likely to remain in the dugout for the upcoming fixtures against Bolton Wanderers and Southampton.
Relegation fears intensify
Derby County's position is perilous. They are second from bottom, seven points from safety and without a win in ten matches. Their recent form reads LLDLL, with four heavy defeats in the last five games. A 4-0 home loss to Norwich City on Tuesday was followed by a 4-1 defeat at Millwall last weekend, leaving them with a goal difference of minus 18. The club has scored just 11 goals while conceding 29 this season, and they are a daunting 21 points behind the league leaders. The club is now assessing candidates to replace Eustace, with a change seen as increasingly necessary.
Eustace himself said he was 'not surprised' to still be in charge recently and stated that nothing had been said to him by the club's hierarchy about his position. He guided the Rams to an unlikely escape from relegation after his arrival and narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season. However, the collapsed takeover during the summer has taken its toll on this campaign.
The immediate focus shifts to a critical home match against Bolton Wanderers on Friday night. That fixture is viewed as a potential turning point in the fight for survival. Forward Sam Szmodics is out for six weeks with a knee injury, adding to the squad's challenges. The club hosts Bolton at Pride Park on 6 November. Derby's recent results include a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United on 24 October, preceded by losses to Stoke City and QPR, and a draw with Wrexham, illustrating the scale of the task ahead.
Background and full detail: Football Insider
