Duncan Ferguson unveiled at Forest Green Rovers, admits there was a chance with Everton
Duncan Ferguson has admitted there “was always a chance” that he would get the Everton job as he was announced as the new Forest Green Rovers boss.
The Toffees legend was a long-time assistant before departing the club in the summer, and twice stepped in as interim boss, but was repeatedly passed over for the full-time role.
After Frank Lampard was sacked on Monday (23 January) the Scot has once again been linked to the job but has instead taken his first step in management at last year’s League Two champions.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Thursday (26 January) the former Goodison striker said: “I was always going to be linked with the Everton job. It never happened for me, but I’m absolutely delighted to be here.”
Giving his thoughts on the Toffees’ situation he added: “Obviously they’ve had a difficult time haven’t they? They’re bottom of the league, they’ve lost a number of games, they’ve lost their manager and they’re going to be looking for a new manager. I wish them well, it’s a fantastic club, one that I’ll never forget.”
Asked if there was a chance he took the job after Lampard he answered: “I think there was always a chance wasn’t there? There was always a chance I was in the frame for it, but really the club’s going in their own direction now aren’t they?”
Looking slightly uncomfortable answering questions about another job while standing next to the chairman at his new one he confirmed that “he personally” had not had any conversations with Everton and refused to comment on the chances of Marcelo Bielsa, Sean Dyche or Sam Allardyce getting the role.
Good luck to him
Farhad Moshiri has had more than enough chances to appoint Ferguson, who was always there to turn to in an emergency but apparently never trusted full time.
The club is clearly always going to be in his heart, but he swallowed his pride once more a year ago to stay on when Lampard came in and clearly felt he needed to go elsewhere to get an opportunity once the club had been kept up.
Plenty of fans would love to see him brought in to whip the current squad into shape, as he has proved in interim charge previously that he can connect with the supporters more than just about anyone.
From his point of view it is probably right for him to stop waiting for the opportunity to come at Goodison Park, and the Evertonians are sure to wish him plenty of success at Forest Green.
The fact that he specified that personally he hadn’t spoken to anyone at Everton might suggest that there has been contact with representatives, but it looks safe to rule him out now.
From the club’s point of view, time is ticking towards deadline day in the January window and it is going to be far harder to bring any reinforcements in without somebody appointed, especially in light of the Arnaut Danjuma situation.
There is huge upheaval right now, and high profile exits look to be outnumbering any potential arrivals, which doesn’t inspire a great deal of confident when there is a relegation battle to be fought.