Everton icon Duncan Ferguson takes charge of Glentoran in Irish Premiership
Former Everton and Rangers forward Duncan Ferguson, 54, has been appointed manager of Irish Premiership side Glentoran on a multi‑year deal. The ex‑Scotland international, who also featured for Dundee United and Newcastle United, will succeed Declan Devine, who left the club by mutual consent in September.
Ferguson’s coaching résumé includes spells as Everton’s assistant under Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benítez, as well as two caretaker stints at the same club. He has also managed Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and will be joined at Glentoran by former Dundee United teammate Gary Bollan, named as his assistant.
Glentoran have not lifted the league title since 2009, despite significant investment from owner Ali Pour and a shift to a full‑time professional model. Ferguson expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I am delighted to become manager of Glentoran. This is a big club with a tremendous history, and it is a great opportunity for me. I understand the responsibility that comes with the job. I want to win trophies here. Glentoran should be challenging for the title and every cup and shield we enter. Success will be judged on what we win.”
His first match in charge will be at home against Ballymena United on Saturday at 15:00 BST. Speaking about his long‑term commitment, Ferguson added, “The more I spoke with Ali and Paul, the more I wanted the job. Their ambition matches my own, and I look forward to getting onto the training pitch, working with the players and seeing what we can achieve together.”
Owner Ali Pour said the appointment reflects Glentoran’s ambition to win trophies and highlighted a thorough recruitment process that considered candidates from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Scandinavia. “We took the time this decision deserved, interviewing many coaches and assessing their experience and proposals. Duncan impressed us with his football knowledge, leadership, player development and recruitment skills,” Pour explained.
Former Glentoran captain Paul Leeman, who made 597 appearances for the club, welcomed the news. “I still can’t believe it – it’s a huge appointment and I’m interested to see his plans for Glentoran,” Leeman told BBC Radio Ulster. “It is a risk and he’s been known more as a number two, but he has bags of experience at the top level. He doesn’t know the league, so he will need people around him who do. He will demand respect from the players straight away, and it will be interesting.”
The club had previously been linked with former Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton, but the ex‑Ipswich Town and QPR manager chose to stay with rivals Cliftonville. Ferguson now faces the task of ending Glentoran’s 17‑year league title drought. The team sit third in the Irish Premiership, having recorded six wins and four defeats in their first twelve league games of the season.