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Derby County welcome Bristol City to Pride Park Stadium on Friday night, as they seek out their first three points of 2025/26.
It’s not been the start to the season that John Eustace would have envisioned for the Rams, and after their incredible turnaround to avoid relegation in the last campaign, they are struggling greatly in defence.
George Elek has major concerns about Derby right now, but with players still to come back from injury, David Ozoh knows that his team can turn their fortunes back around.
Nevertheless, the test of Bristol City is a big one, and for Eustace, it may bring back old memories that could inspire him and his side to battle even harder on Friday night.
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John Eustace was considered for the Bristol City vacancy in October 2023
While he is now very much settled at Derby, back in October 2023, the current Rams boss was rocked as Birmingham City made the surprise decision to sack him – despite Blues sitting in sixth place in the Championship.
Just weeks later, Nigel Pearson was sacked by Bristol City and a vacancy was made at Ashton Gate, with Sky Sports reporting at the time that Gary Rowett, Nathan Jones and Eustace were all candidates.
However, all three were overlooked, with Liam Manning taking charge of the Robins from November 2023.
Eustace was forced to wait until February 2024 to get back into management, joining Blackburn Rovers. Now, almost two years after he missed out on the Bristol City job, he will be keen to get one back over the club that did not give him a chance.
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John Eustace will be raring to go with Derby County on Friday
Derby are in desperate need of a win, having lost both of their opening games, and their head coach’s history with the Robins will only add further fire to this game.
The Rams beat Bristol City 3-0 at Pride Park 12 months ago, and supporters will be hoping to see a repeat of that incredible result on Friday evening under the lights in DE24.
Eustace has won three times against the Robins so far in his career as a manager, losing the other three. However, he has won both of his previous home games against the south-west club.
The 45-year-old will be hoping to continue this record, and he will surely have an extra incentive to beat Bristol City in the East Midlands.