Former Birmingham City and Blackburn midfielder Robbie Savage has expressed his pleasure that ex-Blues boss John Eustace was able to keep Rovers in the Championship.
Eustace started the season off in charge at St Andrew’s and led them to fifth in the league before he was replaced with Wayne Rooney. Eustace ended it at Ewood Park and oversaw a final day victory at Leicester City which rendered Blues’ win over Norwich meaningless in their battle to avoid relegation.
Savage, who controversially left Blues to sign for Rovers in 2005, also backed Blues to bounce back at the first attempt.
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“I was delighted for John Eustace and Blackburn as they stayed up on the final day,” Savage told Planet Sport Bet. “That is probably one of the few teams where I could actually go on the pitch without getting booed these days. You have to look at Birmingham’s decision to part ways with Eustace earlier in the season when they were flying high in the Championship.
“When you make a decision to part ways with a manager who is doing well, you have to get it right. Ultimately, Birmingham made the wrong call and now they have suffered the consequences with relegation. I feel for the fans but they’ll be back. It is a wonderful football club where I had some of my best years in the Premier League.
“League One is tough but I can see them bouncing back and regrouping. I’d imagine that they’ll be back in the Championship at the first time of asking.”
Blues will certainly hope that’s the case. Their last dip into the third tier of English football lasted only one season as Barry Fry led them to a league and cup double in 1995.
