Former Everton striker and coach Duncan Ferguson has been confirmed as new the manager of Northern Irish Premiership club Glentoran. 

Glentoran announced that the 54-year-old coach has signed a multi-year contract at the club and he becomes the fifth former Everton player to manage the Glens.

Ferguson was a two-time interim manager at Premier League club Everton and his last managerial appointment was at Inverness Caledonian Thistle for the 2023-24 Scottish Championship season.

His brief stint in Inverness came to end in October 2024 when the club went into administration. 

FERGUSON CONTINUES MANAGERIAL CAREER IN IRISH LEAGUE 

Ferguson becomes the fifth former Everton player to manager Glentoran after David Reid, James McIntosh, Alex Young and Tommy Jackson.

The 54-year-old brings vast experience to the Oval having previously worked as assistant coach under Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez at Everton. 

The Glens currently occupy the third position in the Irish Premiership with 11 points behind leaders Coleraine.

They are one of the three clubs never to have been relegated from the Irish top division.

FERGUSON EAGER TO HELP GLENTORAN WIN TITLES 

Ferguson has set the target of lifting his first managerial silverware in Glentoran as he opens a new chapter in Ireland. 

He admitted that his new role comes with responsibility to add to Glentoran’s 144-year club history.

“I am delighted to become manager of Glentoran,” Ferguson told the club website. “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. I know that success here will be judged on what we win.”

Ferguson admitted that he was convinced about joining Glentoran immediately after his interaction with club owner Ali Pour and sporting director Paul Millar.

The former Scotland international, who lifted the 1994-95 FA Cup with Everton, expressed his desire to know more about the culture in East Belfast.

“The more I spoke with Ali and Paul, the more I wanted the job,” he added. “Their ambition matches my own, and I am looking forward to getting onto the training pitch, working with the players and seeing what we can achieve together.

“I want us to play with confidence, get forward and give the supporters football they enjoy watching. I am thorough in my preparation and expect a lot from my players. It will take time to put my ideas into practice, but I will be clear from day one about how I want us to play and what I expect.

“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. That is important to me.

“I have heard so much about the Glentoran supporters and what this Club means to them. We have a responsibility to win games and make them proud. Their support has to be earned, and I am looking forward to getting started.”

Ferguson’s first game at Glentoran will be a home game in the Northern Irish Premiership against Ballymena on Saturday, October 24.