Nobody had Duncan Ferguson down for Belfast. The former Everton and Rangers striker has been named manager of Irish Premiership club Glentoran on a multi-year contract, and the club call it a signing of ambition. The man himself says he wants trophies, and that success at The Oval will be judged on what he wins.
A surprise name in east Belfast
Ferguson is 54. He also played for Dundee United and Newcastle United and won seven caps for Scotland, but it is his time at Goodison Park that most people remember. His coaching career has mostly been spent as a number two, notably as assistant manager at Everton under Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez, with two spells as caretaker boss as well. He worked under Roberto Martinez and Ronald Koeman there too. More recently he managed Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
He replaces Declan Devine, who left by mutual consent in September after two and a half years in charge. Gary Bollan, a former Dundee United team-mate who worked with him at Inverness, comes in as assistant manager. Ferguson's first game is at home to Ballymena United on Saturday at 15:00 BST.
What the owner says about the process
Glentoran owner Ali Pour said the club "took the time this decision deserved". He described interviewing candidates from across the United Kingdom, Ireland and Scandinavia, then meeting Ferguson several times in Liverpool alongside sporting director Paul Millar. Pour said Ferguson showed the qualities they wanted in coaching, leadership, player development and recruitment.
Ferguson was just as direct. "I want to win trophies here," he said. "Glentoran should be challenging for the title and every cup and shield we enter." He added that he has signed for the long term and wants to become part of life in the community, and that the supporters' backing has to be earned.
The 17-year wait
The job comes with a heavy weight. Glentoran have not won a league title since 2009, despite significant investment from Pour and a move to a full-time professional model. Devine did lead them to the County Antrim Shield in 2024-25, their first trophy since the Irish Cup in 2020. They sit third in the Irish Premiership after 12 games, with six wins and four defeats.
Not everyone has welcomed the news without reservations. Former Glentoran captain Paul Leeman, who played 597 games for the club, said he could not believe it. He called it a huge appointment but also a risk, since Ferguson is better known as a number two and does not know the league, and suggested he will need local people around him. The Glens had also been linked with Jim Magilton, who chose to stay at Cliftonville. Whatever happens next, a manager with Ferguson's name has already moved Irish League football to the front of the queue for attention this week.
Appointment facts: Duncan Ferguson, 54, named Glentoran manager on a multi-year contract. Gary Bollan is assistant manager. Glentoran are third in the Irish Premiership with six wins and four defeats from 12 league games and have not won the league since 2009. First match: Glentoran v Ballymena United, Saturday, 15:00 BST.
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