Duncan Ferguson believes the hard-core reputation he built up as a player has hindered him in his managerial career. Now, the Everton legend reveals that Michael Carrick got a job ahead of him.
Duncan Ferguson has claimed that the harsh reputation he built up throughout his playing career has hindered his opportunities in football management. The Everton legend spent the last twelve years of his playing career in the Premier League, ten of which at Goodison Park for two separate periods. The former Scotland international got his first taste of management at the Toffees in 2019, when he was appointed interim boss – and he filled the same role again in 2022.
“Michael Carrick got the manager’s job ahead of me! Rumours from my time as a player cost me jobs”
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Since that temporary spell four years ago, the 54-year-old has been at Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and he is now the head coach of NIFL Premiership club Glentoran.
Middlesbrough went to Michael Carrick
A move to Championship club Middlesbrough seemed to be on the cards for Ferguson in 2022, after it emerged that Manchester United manager Michael Carrick had turned down the position.
In an interview with The Telegraph, the former striker suggested that the fearsome image he used during his playing days – including nine red cards – may well have contributed to the difficulties in securing managerial assignments.
“I can’t get away from it. That’s just how I played football,” Ferguson said.
“But I’m not like that off the pitch, unless you break into my house! Other than that, I’ve been decent! I’ve been at Liverpool since I was 22, and if you’re an asshole, you’ll be exposed.
“I crushed the interview”
“Maybe they don’t look past it. A couple of years ago I should have gotten the Middlesbrough job. Michael Carrick had said he didn’t want it. I smashed the interview; the two guys who interviewed me said they would give it to me, but they had to talk to [owner] Steve Gibson.
“I thought I had a real chance. A couple of days passed, then the sporting director called. “We have bad news.” Carrick had changed his mind, went back to Gibson and said he wanted the job. So they went with him.
Ferguson started his Glentoran tenure last month with a 1-1 draw away to Coleraine, and followed that up with a 0-0 draw away to Carrick today. He admits that the job “costs a lot”, but that the chance to be back in management was impossible to resist.
“I’ve given up a lot to come here, but it’s a great chance. This is a great club with great people. And when you’re on the sidelines? Then it’s worth it.
Sunday’s Premier League match where Manchester United take on Aston Villa at Old Trafford is no longer really a game of destiny for Michael Carrick. Experts agree that Carrick will be sacked the moment a new one comes in.
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