Duncan Ferguson has been appointed manager of Glentoran on a multi-year contract. The former Everton striker will be joined at the Belfast club by his former Dundee United team-mate Gary Bollan, who will serve as his assistant.
Ferguson, 54, is taking on his second permanent managerial role after spells at Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He also had two caretaker stints in charge of Everton in 2019 and 2022, having previously worked as an assistant under Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez at Goodison Park.
Glentoran owner Ali Pour said Ferguson was the standout candidate after a rigorous four-week recruitment process that involved interviews with applicants from across the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia. Pour and sporting director Paul Millar met Ferguson several times in Liverpool to discuss the role. "I knew Duncan Ferguson was the man for the job straight away upon first meeting him," Pour said. He highlighted Ferguson's qualities in coaching, leadership and player development, as well as his strong relationships across the game.
The appointment signals a clear ambition from a club that has not won a league title since 2009. Significant investment from owner Pour has seen Glentoran adopt a full-time professional model in recent years. The club currently sits third in the Irish Premiership, enjoying an upturn in form since parting with previous manager Declan Devine in September.
Ferguson expressed his delight at the opportunity and immediately set out his trophy-winning ambitions. "I want to win trophies here," he said. "Glentoran should be challenging for the title and every cup and shield we enter." Beyond results, the former Scotland international, who won seven caps, emphasised a desire to connect with the club's supporters and the wider city. He stated he wants to get to know the people at Glentoran and become part of life in Belfast, acknowledging that support must be earned.
Owner Ali Pour echoed this community-focused approach, noting that Ferguson likes to bring young players through and that the club will see more youth integration.
Ferguson's first game in charge will be at home to Ballymena United on Saturday at 15:00 BST. Meanwhile, his former club Everton are next in action away to Arsenal on 24 October. Everton currently sit 8th in the Premier League with 10 points from seven games, having recorded two wins and four draws. They are 11 points behind the leaders, Manchester City. Their recent form shows two wins, two draws and one defeat from their last five matches. This sequence includes a 2-2 draw at Hull City on 11 October, where T. Barry was on the scoresheet, and a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea on Saturday 17 October. Barry is the club's top scorer this season with three goals. The team has scored eight goals and conceded seven in the league so far. Their next challenge is a difficult trip to face Arsenal, who are second in the table, on Saturday 24 October.
This story first appeared at BBC Sport Football
