By Wayne Veysey

1st Nov, 2023 | 9:29am

Sources: Derby County set sights on ex-Birmingham City boss John Eustace

Ex-Birmingham City boss John Eustace is being targeted by Derby Country amid doubts over Paul Warne’s future, sources have told Football Insider.

Warne eased the pressure on himself by overseeing a 4-0 win over Northampton Town on Tuesday night (31 October).

However, his long-term future at Derby is believed to be up in the air and the club are now assessing potential alternatives.

Eustace, who made 62 appearances for the Rams during his playing career, is on the club’s radar and is available after being sacked by Birmingham last month.

The decision did not go down well with many Blues fans with the ambitious St Andrew’s club choosing to replace him with Wayne Rooney despite their strong start to the season.

Birmingham were sitting sixth in the table when Eustace departed, but have since slid down to 14th following three straight defeats.

Eustace had helped steer the club clear of relegation last term, helping them to a 17th-place finish after winning 14 of 46 league games following his arrival in July 2022.

But following his sacking, Birmingham CEO Garry Cook released a letter (10 October), claiming the 43-year-old was “misaligned” with the ambitions of the Blues’ leadership.

Derby sit seventh in League One as they attempt to return to the second tier for the first time since their relegation at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

The Rams finished seventh in the third tier last season.

Warne’s side are next in action against Crewe Alexandra in the first round of the FA Cup on Sunday (5 November).

In other news, Birmingham City agree deal with ex-Man City man.