John Eustace has been appointed as Blackburn Rovers' new manager, replacing Jon Dahl Tomasson on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The former Birmingham City boss is back in work after leaving St Andrew's in October. He will be at Ewood Park on Saturday for the visit of Stoke City but first-team coaches David Lowe and Damien Johnson will be in charge.

Eustace will then lead Rovers against his former club on Tuesday night in what are two huge games in the context of Rovers' season. Matt Gardiner has also arrived at Ewood Park as his assistant manager,

"I am excited for this new challenge in my career and can’t wait to get started," he said.

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“I am looking forward to being at Ewood Park tomorrow and meeting the supporters, who can play a big part for us between now and the end of the season.

“I will give my all to ensure the fans have a team they can be proud of and, together, I hope we can quickly start climbing the table.”

The 44-year-old's arrival coincides with the formal announcement that Tomasson has now left the club. In a club statement, Rovers say the Dane has left due to 'mutual' consent. Assistant manager Remy Reijnierse has also departed.

Tomasson had 16 months left to run on the three-year contract he signed in 2022. The relationship between the board and the former AC Milan striker had become untenable.

Talks over the 'mutual termination' of his contract have been protracted. Tomasson will now reportedly take over the Sweden national team after enjoying success with Malmo previously.

Eustace was the first-choice pick of the Rovers board and they moved quickly to ensure his services with a crucial run of matches coming up, starting against the Potters.

On the pitch, things had taken a turn for the worse too. Rovers have won one of their last 11 Championship games, taking five points from a possible 33. Considering they were seventh on December 1, the season has quickly unwound and they now find themselves in a relegation battle.

With nine matches to come in the next month, Eustace will have little time to work on the training ground with his players. Rovers' hierarchy will hope that an injection of fresh ideas and energy can help galvanise the squad and lift morale.

Eustace has experience of firefighting at St Andrew's having worked in difficult circumstances under their previous ownership. He also took seven points from seven matches as caretaker of Queens Park Rangers in 2019.

With winnable fixtures against Preston North End, Cardiff City, Norwich City and Swansea City to follow, the new boss will be hoping to make a fast start to alleviate any concerns of the drop.