3 managers Derby County must consider as John Eustace sack calls grow

Derby County were hoping to build on their narrow miss for the Championship play-offs last season, but their current campaign has taken a worrying turn.

The Rams have managed just one victory in their opening 10 league matches and are now winless in six games following Wednesday night’s heavy 4-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Goals from Alfie Lloyd and Harvey Vale, alongside Nicolas Madsen’s penalty, gave QPR a commanding first-half advantage before Paul Smyth added a fourth after the break. Lars-Jørgen Salvesen scored a late consolation for Derby, but it was not enough to prevent another disappointing result.

With Derby sitting 23rd in the Championship table and two points adrift of safety, pressure is mounting on head coach John Eustace. Increasing numbers of supporters are questioning his position, although he is expected to remain in charge for Saturday’s meeting with Stoke City.

Owner David Clowes now faces a difficult decision as concerns over the club’s league position continue to grow. Should Derby decide to make a managerial change, there are several experienced candidates who could be considered to help turn their season around.

Here are three potential replacements the Rams could explore.

1. Sean Dyche

Sean Dyche could be an option for Derby if the club decide they need an experienced manager capable of guiding them through a relegation battle.

The former Burnley boss spent almost a decade at Turf Moor between 2012 and 2022, earning two promotions to the Premier League and establishing the Clarets in the top flight. He also led them to a seventh-place finish in the 2017-18 campaign, securing European qualification.

Dyche subsequently took charge of Everton, where he helped the Merseyside club avoid relegation during his time in charge. His most recent managerial position was at Nottingham Forest, although he was dismissed in February after winning 10 of his 25 matches.

His previous association with Forest could make an appointment at Pride Park a difficult sell to some Derby supporters. Nevertheless, his experience of managing teams under pressure could appeal to Clowes if the Rams decide they need a change of direction.

2. Vitor Pereira

Vitor Pereira is another experienced manager Derby could consider if they decide to part company with Eustace.

The Portuguese coach worked across several leagues before arriving in English football to take charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 2024. Despite inheriting a difficult situation at Molineux, he guided Wolves to Premier League survival during the 2024-25 season.

Pereira later moved to Nottingham Forest, where he took over during another difficult period and helped the club retain its top-flight status after replacing Dyche.

However, he was dismissed by Forest in the summer and has since indicated that his priority is to secure another Premier League position.

That ambition could present a challenge for Derby, who would need to convince Pereira that a move to the Championship represents an attractive opportunity.

If the Rams could persuade him to take the job, his experience of navigating difficult league campaigns could make him a candidate worth exploring.

3. Steve Cooper

Steve Cooper is another name Derby could consider if they decide to search for a new head coach.

Cooper established himself in the Championship with Swansea City, guiding the Welsh club to consecutive play-off appearances in 2019-20 and 2020-21 before leaving his position.

He subsequently enjoyed a successful spell at Nottingham Forest, leading them back to the Premier League through the play-offs in 2022. Cooper also kept Forest in the top flight during his first season before leaving the club in December 2023.

His subsequent spells at Leicester City and Danish side Brøndby were less successful, but he has experience of working under pressure and building competitive teams.

A move to Derby could offer Cooper an opportunity to rebuild his managerial reputation while taking charge of a club seeking greater stability and a return to winning ways.

However, Derby would need to assess whether his ambitions and preferred style of football align with their long-term plans.

Could Derby County make a change?

Derby’s immediate priority will be to arrest their alarming run of results and improve their position in the Championship table.

Eustace still has an opportunity to turn things around, but continued poor performances could intensify scrutiny of his position.

Dyche, Pereira and Cooper each offer different strengths, from relegation-fighting experience to Championship promotion credentials. Whether Clowes decides to explore those options will depend on the club’s assessment of Eustace’s position and the direction they want to take.

For now, the Rams must focus on Saturday’s clash with Stoke City, which could prove important in determining the mood around Pride Park in the weeks ahead.