Would David Clowes sack John Eustace if Derby County’s season stalls
Derby County sit 22nd in the Championship after picking up just five points from their opening eight league games, with their only win a 2‑0 triumph at Portsmouth last month. Head coach John Eustace, 46, survived the three‑week international break but now faces intense scrutiny as the club looks to avoid relegation.
Recent form and league position
The Rams’ early season has been disappointing. After the Portsmouth victory at Fratton Park, they suffered three straight defeats to West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City. A 93rd‑minute equaliser from Mohammed Fuseini rescued a point in a 1‑1 draw at Burnley, but the overall trend remains bleak.
Owner David Clowes’ past decisions
David Clowes, who rescued Derby from administration in the summer of 2022, has already shown a willingness to act decisively. He dismissed interim manager Liam Rosenior in September 2022, appointing Paul Warne from Rotherham United. Warne guided the club to automatic promotion in 2023‑24 but was sacked in February 2025 after a run of seven defeats.
Clowes has also invested heavily in the transfer market, spending on Max Johnston, Lewis Travis, Carlton Morris and Patrick Agyemang last summer, and paying around £6 million to sign Bobby Clark permanently this summer. Despite these expenditures, the squad remains entrenched in the relegation zone.
James, a graduate of the University of Leeds, earned an undergraduate degree in English Language and Linguistics in 2021 and a Masters in Society, Culture and Media the following year. In his role with FLW, James has produced thousands of articles covering the Championship, League One and League Two, providing a detailed backdrop to Derby’s struggles.
Like many fans, I’m following the thread of discussion on social media, where supporters log their frustrations and ask, “Would we give the manager more time?” The sentiment is clear: Derby’s supporters want results, not promises.
Here, the club’s recent form is the key metric. If Derby fail to secure points against 14th‑placed Wrexham at Pride Park on Saturday, the pressure on Clowes to consider a managerial change will intensify.