
<p>Longtime Everton assistant coach Duncan Ferguson was named head coach at Forest Green Rovers on Thursday. This will be the Scot’s first permanent managerial job. Ferguson was previously an assistant on Merseyside since 2014.</p>



<p>The 51-year-old coach was obviously delighted to finally get a chance at the helm. “I’m really delighted&nbsp;to&nbsp;join&nbsp;FGR&nbsp;for the next step of my career, and I plan to be here for a while. We have a bit of a fight on our hands to stay up in League One and I am ready for the challenge,” <a href="https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/duncan-ferguson-appointed-fgr-head-coach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> Ferguson.</p>



<p>“I am grateful for the opportunity to come and lead such a progressive and forward-thinking club too.&nbsp;Their world leading green creds are seriously impressive.&nbsp;I want to thank Dale for bringing me in.&nbsp;I’m looking forward to getting started!”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Duncan Ferguson ends nine-year stay at Everton</h2>



<p>Ferguson was also asked about his links with Everton on Thursday as well. The Toffees are currently in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> relegation zone and recently fired head coach Frank Lampard. “I was always going to be linked with that job. It never happened for me, but I’m delighted to be here,” <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/64409654/page/2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claimed</a> Ferguson.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🗣 "I look forward to eating that later." 🌱 🟢 <br><br>New head coach Duncan Ferguson is ready to embrace the meat-free policy at Forest Green Rovers admitting he has never eaten vegan food before <a href="https://t.co/GBIHLOMIiB">pic.twitter.com/GBIHLOMIiB</a></p>— Football Daily (@footballdaily) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1618622977309917186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>The former Everton player was previously named caretaker manager two separate times during his coaching stay with the club. His first opportunity came when Marco Silva was sacked in 2019. Everton went unbeaten in four matches under Ferguson, which included tough fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal.</p>



<p>Ferguson was also given the reins temporarily for one match last season as well. Everton narrowly lost the top flight home game against Aston Villa. Lampard was named head coach following the fixture.</p>



<h5>No bad blood</h5>



<p>Despite being overlooked for Everton’s vacancy, Ferguson has wished his former club well. “They’ve had a difficult time. They are bottom of the league, they have lost some games and they are looking for a new manager. I wish them well,” <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/64409654/page/2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> Ferguson. “It is a fantastic club. There was always a chance [I could get the job], but they’ve gone in a different direction.”</p>



<p>Marcelo Biela, Wayne Rooney, Sean Dyche, and Nuno Espirito Santo have all been linked with the Everton head coaching job in recent weeks.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


Duncan Ferguson has been named head coach of Forest Green Rovers, a major miss for Everton, which is without a manager.

Everton misses out on Duncan Ferguson as Lampard replacement

Duncan Ferguson

Everton misses out on Duncan Ferguson as Lampard replacement