Darren Bent delivers Paul Warne sack verdict and makes John Eustace prediction
Darren Bent has backed John Eustace to keep Derby County in the Championship if he is appointed Paul Warne’s successor at Pride Park.
The former Rams striker, who spent two-and-a-half years at the club, encountered Eustace towards the tail end of his career after joining in January 2015. Eustace was struggling with the injury that eventually prompted him to hang up his boots a few months later – but he left an impression on Bent.
That impression has only grown following successful spells in charge of Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers, with the Ewood Park outfit confirming Eustace has asked to be given permission to speak to Derby. Eustace has guided Rovers to sixth in the Championship but seems keen on the task of lifting the Rams out of the bottom three.
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Bent reckons he will: “He's got history there,” the 41-year-old told talkSPORT. “When I was there, he was there but he was injured, but I know he played a big part and when they got to the playoff final, when they lost to QPR, I believe.
“But Derby lost seven out of eight, drew with Norwich at the weekend, but their form has gone bottom three. Paul Warne had to go. The Derby fans that I speak to, I saw a Derby fan yesterday and he said to me watching Derby was ruining his weekend, so he had to just stop because it was that's how bad it's been under Paul Warne.
“I think John Eustace going back there, big club, he knows the club really well, was there as a player, as I said. Big opportunity there as well, big fan base, they'll stay up.”
