Birmingham City and three other teams to be handed relegation boost

One of Birmingham City’s relegation rivals could be without their manager at the weekend.

A former Birmingham City manager may be helpless to keep his team from being relegated from the Championship on Saturday.

The Football Association (FA) charged former Blues boss John Eustace with misconduct. It involved a confrontation with Coventry City’s Kasey Palmer after halftime, with Eustace sent to the stands for allegedly pushing the midfielder.

According to an FA statement, “John Eustace was charged with misconduct following the EFL Championship game between Blackburn and Coventry on Saturday, April 27.” It is alleged that the Blackburn manager acted inappropriately at the 50th minute. He has until Friday, May 3, to respond.

He was unable to talk to the press following the game due to his dismissal. If he admits the accusation, he could face a touchline ban and a fine.

On the final day of the season, Blackburn meet champions Leicester City, and a win might be crucial to their survival. Eustace, who was fired by Birmingham, has his Blackburn team in 19th place, but they may require a win if Birmingham defeats Norwich and both Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday win.

A touchline ban prevents a head coach or manager from being on the touchline and unable to communicate with his players throughout the game. They can only communicate with a smartphone or runner.

Any manager who obtains a touchline ban is allowed to meet with the players both before and after the match. Keith Downing is now Eustace’s right-hand man and could be tasked with overseeing events over the weekend.

“We will obviously speak with the powers that be,” assistant head coach Keith Downing told the Lancashire Telegraph last weekend.

“Let’s see what happens.” We’ll be there if John is at our side; if not, we’ll be well prepared, and he’ll still be around.

“He is highly influential, has been quite positive around the company, and is an excellent leader. We shall miss him if he is not present.

“But he will lead from behind the scenes, as he has done since he came in. He’ll be prepared, it’s that simple.”

Eustace’s likely absence could benefit Birmingham City and others, however. His probable failure to communicate with players throughout the game may indicate that other results have prompted them to shift from playing for a draw to needing a victory at a critical point.