TONY PULIS has backed his former midfielder John Eustace to be a success at Kidderminster Harriers after he was named the club’s new boss on Thursday.
The 36-year-old former Coventry City, Derby County, Stoke City and Watford midfielder has signed a one-year deal and will take charge at Aggborough in the summer.
It has been a tough season for the Worcestershire club with the departures of bosses Gary Whild and Dave Hockaday leaving chief executive Colin Gordon in control of the first team since January.
They will be playing at Step 2 next season after their relegation from the National League was confirmed last weekend but West Brom boss Pulis reckons Eustace is the right man to turn the club around.
“John is a winner; a person who has dedicated his life to football,” the Welshman said. “I loved having John around me and he played a very important part in the development of Stoke City Football Club.
“Kidderminster have made an outstanding appointment – his drive and determination will, I’m sure, set the club up for more prosperous times in the future.”
Solihull-born Eustace takes his first steps into management after a long and successful playing career that started at Coventry City in 1996 and yielded 48 appearances in the Premier League and over 350 in the Football League.
He is expected to be joined at Kidderminster by Worcester City joint-boss Matt Gardiner, with Harriers hopeful of bringing him in as head of coaching.
“This is the next chapter of my football career and I’m very excited,” said Eustace. “I’m looking forward to getting going.
“It was a big decision for me to retire from playing as it was something I’d done for 20 years but this is the next step and something I’ve always wanted to do – the time has come.
“Kidderminster is one of the biggest clubs in Non-League football and although the squad is young, it is also very exciting and that’s great.
“I’m looking forward to working with them and watching some of them progress for next season both on and off the field.”
Chief executive Gordon added: “In choosing John we have made an appointment for the long-term and I know full well what we are getting.
“I’ve known him for over ten years; he is an astute professional with an incredible understanding of the game. He has had a great career as a player at the highest level and it’s very clear that he is going to be a fantastic coach and manager.
“John has watched a lot of our games this season, especially recently, and knows exactly the direction he wants to go in.”
