Irish Premiership side Glentoran have appointed former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson as their new First Team Manager on a multi-year contract, with Gary Bollan joining as assistant manager.
The 54-year-old brings extensive Premier League playing and coaching experience to the Oval, having spent more than a decade in Everton’s coaching structure and twice taken caretaker charge of the Merseyside club.
Ferguson progressed from Everton’s academy to the first-team staff in 2014, working under managers including Roberto Martínez, Ronald Koeman, Sam Allardyce, Marco Silva, Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benítez.
His first spell as caretaker manager came in December 2019, when he guided Everton to a victory over Chelsea and draws against Manchester United and Arsenal. He subsequently became Ancelotti’s assistant, remained on the coaching staff under Benítez and took caretaker charge again in January 2022 before working alongside Frank Lampard.
Ferguson left Everton in the summer of 2022 to pursue a managerial career of his own. He took charge of Forest Green Rovers in January 2023 before moving to Inverness Caledonian Thistle that September. His spell in Scotland ended in October 2024 following the club’s entry into administration.
His previous managerial roles brought difficult challenges, including Forest Green’s relegation from League One and Inverness’s financial crisis. The Glentoran appointment offers him another opportunity to establish himself as a manager in his own right with a club used to challenging for major honours.
“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,” Ferguson said.
“I want to win trophies here. Glentoran should be challenging for the title and every cup and shield we enter. I know that success here will be judged on what we win.”
Ferguson has also outlined his preferred style of play, saying he wants his side to attack with confidence while maintaining high standards in training and preparation.
“I want us to play with confidence, get forward and give the supporters football they enjoy watching,” he said. “I am thorough in my preparation and expect a lot from my players.”
Furthermore, Ferguson has confirmed that he intends to live in Belfast and build a long-term connection with the club and its supporters.
“I have signed for the long term and will be living in Belfast. I want to get to know the people at the Club and in the wider community and become part of life here,” he said.
Glentoran owner Ali Pour said the club had considered candidates from across the United Kingdom, Ireland and Scandinavia. He highlighted Ferguson’s football knowledge, coaching experience, leadership, approach to player development and recruitment, as well as his connections within the game.
As a player, Ferguson represented Dundee United, Rangers, Everton and Newcastle United, earning seven senior caps for Scotland. He scored 68 goals in 269 Premier League appearances and helped Everton win the FA Cup in 1995.
The appointment also extends a longstanding link between Everton and Glentoran. Ferguson becomes the fifth former Everton player to manage the Belfast club, following David Reid, James McIntosh, Alex Young and Tommy Jackson. Billy Bingham, who played for both clubs, later managed Everton and led Northern Ireland to the 1982 and 1986 World Cup finals.
Ferguson’s appointment brings considerable top-level experience to Glentoran, but his immediate challenge will be to translate that background into results in a competitive Irish Premiership and build a side capable of challenging for honours.
If he can deliver a league title during his time in East Belfast, then legendary status awaits. However, Glentoran history suggests that is easier said than done.