John Eustace admitted he didn't want Birmingham City to be relegated but reiterated Blackburn Rovers deserved to stay in the Championship.

Eustace's former club were relegated to League One on a dramatic final day whilst Rovers secured survival with a 2-0 win at Leicester City. With all four teams that could have gone down winning, it was Tony Mowbray's team that dropped to League One.

The club sacked Eustace when Birmingham were sixth in the Championship and that decision ultimately did not pay off. There was a sense of scriptwriting about their former boss leading Rovers to safety, at their expense, on the final day.

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Asked about Birmingham going down, Eustace insisted he still has friends at the club and didn't wish relegation on them. He did again reiterate his focus was on Rovers, who he believes deserved to stay in the Championship.

"My job is to come in and make sure Blackburn Rovers stayed in the league, that's all I was worried about," Eustace said.

"I didn't want Birmingham to go down, they're a club very close to my heart. I have some fantastic friends and players there.

"It wasn't the season I imagined, I had a fantastic start and left Birmingham in sixth position. Then to come to Blackburn when they were struggling and keep them in the league is something I'm very proud of but it's a group effort from the staff, players and the fans.

"It is a shame they have gone down but I was only focussed on keeping Blackburn in the league. It was a huge effort from everyone, the squad we have here and to reach 53 points is a sensational achievement.

"You only do that by staying together and being connected. I said from day one I needed the players, the staff and the fans to stay connected.

"There was never any doubt from my side, working with the players every day. They're top people to work with and their commitment is outstanding.

"I believe you get what you deserve and we deserved to stay in the league on 53 points."