All the best, John. Good luck, Wayne.
All the best, John. Good luck, Wayne.
Thoughts on a shock turn of events as Birmingham City's board choose to remove John Eustace in favour of Wayne Rooney.
So, the inevitable has happened.
After weeks of media speculation and ITK rumours, the Blues board have officially parted ways with John Eustace and it seems as though it is with the intention of replacing him with England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, supported by fellow ex-top level players Ashley Cole and John O'Shea.
As fans across the country post head-loss emojis and slam the club's decsïon makers, Blues fans find themselves unsure what to think, concerned that history may be repeating itself while wanting to give owners that have saved and improved the club the benefit of the doubt.
Let's start with the man no longer in charge.
I'm compromised here, let's be honest. Anybody that follows me on Twitter X, reads my stuff on the NTT20 squad or speaks to me on a day-to-day basis knows I'm all in on John Eustace.
In my lifetime I've watched Steve Bruce, Alex McLeish, Chris Hughton, Lee Clark, Gary Rowett, Gianfranco Zola, Harry Redknapp, Steve Cotterill, Garry Monk, Pep Clotet, Aitor Karanka, Lee Bowyer and John Eustace manage my football club.
It may be the circumstances in which he took the job or it may be age, taking more interest in tactics and interviews rather than individual favourite players but I've fallen more for Eustace than those that came before.
He got it. He would have been a proper Blues player in his pomp as a gritty, leader of a midfielder and he knew the script as a manager, demanding his team outworked and outfought the opposition and earned the right to play.
The job he took on was a disaster. The club had no money. The previous manager had gone on a personal crusade to absolve himself of responsibility for the team's problems and drove an even bigger wedge between himself, the players, the fans and owners. Eustace arrived over a week after pre-season had started and had to go about implementing his ideas quickly.
In his first interview, he spoke of how the players and staff needed to be proud to play and work for the football club. He spoke of competitiveness, hard work and bringing everybody together as one.
His captain's first interview solidified this. He spoke of how a back entrance was cut off to ensure players would have to say hello to staff in the morning. He spoke of how outside noise was cut out. How shape, discipline and everybody knowing their jobs was important. That the manager was the first in and last to leave every day. How the players were bonding and socialising having not been able to or not wanted to the previous season. Across four weeks of pre-season, unity had been built.
That unity showcased itself during the season. On several occasions, celebrations were ended with the players pushing backroom staff to the front to be celebrated by supporters - Eustace, Sean Rush, the kit man. They were together. They were giving everything on the pitch. The fans lapped it up.
The same words were repeated across the season. Competitive. Togetherness. Work ethic. Organised. Front foot. Lads did well. Eustace put himself in the firing line repeatedly to lead by example, back his players and ensure that harsh words were only said behind closed doors rather than for the world to hear.
And he was far more demanding and cutting behind the scenes than his interviews suggested - within his first month in charge the Rotherham media team were sharing details of them hearing the loud words being exchanged in the Blues dressing room during a dressing down.
Eustace joked at the end of a long slog of a season that he understood words such as competitive were boring and repetitive but it was important to keep repeating those messages. He wanted the Championship to respect Birmingham City Football Club again and felt they had done that.
It had been a difficult campaign, encapsulated by a mid season run of ten losses in 12 matches, but the number of performances where fans could suggest the players didn't care could be counted on one hand. A lack of quality hindered us quite often. A lack of confidence on the ball showed at times. But a lack of desire was rare.
Before a ball was kicked, Blues were amongst the favourites for the drop. Most had the club finishing dead last. The primary squad members contained just four players in the prime ages of their career and of the most used XI, only Marc Roberts and Maxime Colin had been used to starting games regularly.
Despite that, Blues never really looked like going down. And when the time came to knuckle down, change shape and pick up results, they didn't shit the bed like in previous years. They pulled together, got the job done and ensured the end of the season was an easier one for fans to cope with.
The 2023-24 season was always going to be a difficult one for John Eustace.
Expectation would increase with new ownership through the door, Tom Brady bringing eyes on the club, rumours that new CEO Garry Cook could look to put his own man in place. He couldn't afford another lengthy run of poor form.
What followed was a remarkable summer on paper. Blues signed Dion Sanderson and Krystian Bielik permanently as well as attracting Ethan Laird, Lee Buchanan and Siriki Dembele. The squad went from having four senior contracted footballers for the start of next season to around double figures for the next few years.
Still, a squad on paper doesn't make for a perfect reality. Only four had signed by the start of pre-season. Several were coming on the back of injury-hit campaigns or years in which they had played little football. It was never going to be the case that they all rocked up, played every week and Blues thrived. This proved the case, Eustace unable to field what he would likely believe his best XI to be and regularly having to change his team.
It meant that he had to constantly adapt and adapt he did, as he had the year before. Blues played predominantly the same formation but in several different ways due to the players available. Little tweaks to where we played, how we pressed, who marked who and which player should move into the channels.
The opening day against Swansea was typical of Blues 22-23, starting bright before fading. What followed was a dogged and brave performance against Leeds, a complete victory against Bristol City and a tough game against Plymouth that ended with a debut Jay Stansfield winner. The first block of the season finished with a draw against Millwall in which we started slow but showed resilience and composure to respond.
The second block proved more difficult. Blues were stand-offish against Watford but still had the best chances, only losing after a late red card. We battered Preston only to concede twice in the second half despite our opposition having one shot. The QPR game came at the end of three games in six days and both sides endured a tired, tight second half.
Another three games in six days followed. It started with Blues' worst display of the season to date, a 2-0 loss against Norwich. We were passive, too many players were off the boil, we didn't look after the ball, Eustace had to manoeuvre the team around to give us some energy in the centre of the pitch and we offered little until the arrival of both Bacuna and Dembele.
The latter's return from injury was well timed. With Eustace receiving stick from some quarters after a poor display, his team responded perfectly, hammering Huddersfield Town and playing some superb football. That was followed up by a 3-1 derby win against the Baggies, more hard fought than pretty but this group had fire in their bones to prove people wrong and fought harder than their opponents, even much-maligned subs making a big impact.
Eustace has often had a mantra of never get too high and never get too low. He liked to celebrate. He liked to cuddle his players. He liked to gee the fans up. He celebrated late goals with the gusto you would expect.
Still, the celebration after Gary Gardner's goal against West Brom was quite something. Turning round to the family area and giving it big guns. Slapping the badge. Fist bumps. There was even what appeared to be a point towards the directors box, albeit uncomfirmed. It felt like Eustace had gone through a roller-coaster of emotions and this was a mix of frustration, anger and joy pouring out of him.
His post-match interview was different in tone too.
"That's what MY Birmingham City team is all about", he stated. "We can play good football but we can dig in, we can fight, we can scrap and we're together." Before saying we never get too high and never get too low. Still, he had made his point.
It's not the first curious interview since the international break. He suggested that the wind played a part in Krystian Bielik's bizarre own goal vs Preston. Talk of injuries were relevant but last season he would follow up with "a chance for somebody else to step up, no excuses" or something along those lines. It felt like that no excuse culture might be waning.
Of course, it all makes sense now.
There were rumours during the summer that Eustace may lose his job but nothing came to pass. The team returned to pre-season and continued as normal. Despite an unbeaten start, rumours of Wayne Rooney taking the job filtered through during the first international break. The level of noise and the people sharing it suggested something was up. It's little wonder Eustace changed tact slightly - he was all of a sudden fighting for his job.
We probably won't ever know when Eustace found out. However, that fighting celebration against West Brom suggests he may have known before kick off that it was his last game as Birmingham City boss, whether confirmed by the board or not.
Just as they had on the opening day of last season, John Eustace's team fought tooth and nail for him.
I don't know how to feel about it all.
I've probably been Eustace's biggest fan but I'm not naive. The new owners were always going to want change at some point. Eustace is neither a big name or personality and it felt like his face was never likely to fit. There were murmurs during the summer and it always felt like he would need to massively outperform expectations. And even in doing that, he has still lost his job.
The hope was that when it happened, it was just done. Whether that be on the back of a poor run of form or the club deciding to make the change of their own volition. Even if they had their own man lined up, you just hope the decision is made so all parties can move on quickly. We could then get behind the new man in charge of a professional, slick operation.
Instead, we've been dealt a shambles of a situation in which our manager has remained in post, left to talk up the club and fight for his job amid uncertainty with little backing from above and constant media talk of the new man being announced soon enough.
I guess that's football business though, right? Information gets leaked, people put themselves first and others get shit on in the process. I didn't like it, but I guess you grit your teeth and accept it's part and parcel of the murky business of football.
Then the statement came through on Monday morning.
"It is essential that the Board of Directors and the football management are fully aligned on the importance of implementing a winning mentality and a culture of ambition across the entire Football Club."
"A new First Team Manager will be announced in the coming days who will be responsible for creating an identity and clear ‘no fear’ playing style that all Birmingham City teams will adopt and embrace."
It pissed me off.
Talk about shitting on a guy that has worked incredibly hard to make Birmingham City a competitive Championship football team again, sacrificed himself as an individual for the benefit of his players and backroom staff, always given credit elsewhere when necessary (including Gardner and McParland for their work in the market) and brought unity to a fractured football club.
To suggest he doesn't have a winning mentality is a pop at his character whether intended or not, suggesting he's a coach that can't instill a winning mentality while his newly put-together squad sit in 6th after a quarter of the season.
I disagree with the sentiment that John Eustace couldn't have won promotion either. We actually don't know whether that is the case and we'll never find out whether he could at Blues now.
A clear "no fear" playing style too. The suggestion being that we are replacing Eustace because his team doesn't get at the opposition and is fearful in their approach.
The aim, if not always execution, has been clear from day one under Eustace. We draw the opposition towards a certain area of the pitch and pounce with an aggressive press designed to squeeze play, dominate individual duels and not give the opposition an out. We've showcased it brilliantly at times, including against Leeds United and Preston North End.
It doesn't always work. The group are a work in progress. We weren't at it against Watford and Norwich City, failing to get the initial press from the front right which caused problems with the rest of the team stepping up and squeezing - the opposition backline had too many outs and would have cut through us like a hot knife in butter. Other times, like QPR, the press became difficult both because of the schedule and the opposition style of play so we had to find another way.
In possession, it's been a work-in-progress. Last season was a case of needs must. We didn't have many defenders comfortable with the ball both in distribution and progression. All of our strikers were over 30. Our midfield were better running off the ball than carrying it. We played in transition and into areas and it worked for us.
This year, things have been different. We're able to play out a little more. We're able to draw teams and progress the ball in a variety of different ways. The amount of freedom afforded to Dembele and Miyoshi in recent games showcases that - they wouldn't have received half the passes they are receiving this year in 2022-23. Performances in possession against Millwall, Preston and West Brom were excellent at times.
This isn't to suggest we were all guns blazing and dominating teams every week. Eustace could be cautious, or his team could play a more direct style, especially last season at times when getting results was the primary objective. But there has been a definitive shift in style as part of the ongoing process.
"The Club would like to thank John for his contribution. His dedication and work ethic was evident throughout his time in B9 and he will always be welcomed back to St. Andrew’s."
Honestly, I'm not sure he'll want to come back after reading that.
The difficulty in processing the Eustace departure and the sour taste around the handling of it is that football moves quick and there will be a new man in the dugout imminently.
A small part of me would like to feel vindicated for my backing of Eustace but the reality is that I want Birmingham City to win and progress. I want our owners to get things right. I'll be right behind the new man.
Sky are reporting that we are now entering negotiations with Wayne Rooney. Yet, John Percy, Pete O'Rourke, Aaron Paul and David Ornstein are confirming his backroom staff. I'm sure it's all a move to avoid suggestions of tapping up given Rooney has only just seen his contract at DC United end. Football is funny.
Garry Cook is the man that appointed Mark Hughes then later hid Roberto Mancini in his home prior to Hughes' sacking. Cook is mates with Wayne Rooney's agent and Rooney was also in charge of Derby when Cook was part of Chris Kirchner's back room team. Craig Gardner has links to Rooney. He's the kind of big name that brings a tonne of worldwide prestige and increases the Birmingham City name, further adding to the star power of Tom Brady. That Ashley Cole and John O'Shea are reportedly going to join him on the coaching staff only adds to the idea of star power being a key factor in the decision.
Again, I understand it. The owners want to move the club forward and, as with Tom Brady, being associated with a name like Wayne Rooney sends the kind of signals that the owners want to send. Birmingham City are a big football club. Look at us. Sponsor us. Engage with us. Put us on Sky Sports. Give us money so we can continue to grow the football club.
When we talk about winning mentality and no fear, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole and John O'Shea were certainly those things as players. They were at the top level for a long time, played internationally for a long time and under some of the best managers around. As a manager, Rooney has yet to prove he's either of those things, which is part of the reason the statement stinks. It feels dishonest.
His Derby County reign was unique and more about galvanising people than playing without fear. I couldn't tell you a thing about his DC United reign beyond them failing to reach the play-offs in both seasons, but I find the MLS a weird league and can't judge those results.
Still, this isn't John Eustace being outed for somebody like Graham Potter or Ralph Hassenhuttl, to pluck two random fan suggestions out, who have distinct, brave philosophies and have proven themselves capable Premier League managers. The reality is that Rooney, as it stands, has done no more in the game than Eustace as a manager / head coach.
I can't write Rooney off. I haven't watched his teams up close and personal enough to have a true idea of what to expect at Blues. I hope he turns up, backs up the owners words and shows why Everton and Manchester United should really start tracking his progress.
He inherits an excellent situation, which is rare for a new manager. A pretty popular manager has been sacked but fans as a whole are on board with the new ownership meaning he will get patience from fans. He has a decent, if not top tier, Championship squad at his disposal and some fine young or inexperienced talent to work with.
It could become one of those situations where the new man can build on the good foundations laid down for him. Think Roberto Martinez at Everton post-Moyes, Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton post-Potter and Rob Edwards at Luton Town post-Jones.
However, the statement heightens the pressure on manager, coaching staff and players immediately. There will be far less acceptance of poor performances and results and that statement will be used as a stick to beat Rooney with, whether fair or not. It doesn't help that Rooney's opening five games are Middlesbrough, Hull City, Southampton, Ipswich Town and Sunderland, a rotten set of fixtures.
Football is a cruel game and the way Eustace departs leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Still, he leaves with good will from the fanbase. He's always spoken highly of the club, the city, the staff and I think the vast majority wish him well in his future endeavours.
In the meantime, we have new owners doing a lot of good for the club and the handling of this change has been the first bum note. It's not a deal breaker. They want success, they want to be world class and the expectation is now on the board, Rooney and his coaching staff to deliver.
Best of luck, Wayne.