One manager says he was denied a job in favour of Michael Carrick because of his reputation.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Head Coach Michael Carrick of Manchester United speaks during a press co
Michael Carrick is the current manager of Manchester United (Image: Getty Images)
Duncan Ferguson has claimed that the hard-nosed reputation he forged throughout his playing days has hindered his prospects in football management. The Everton legend spent the final 12 years of his playing career in the Premier League, with 10 of those at Goodison Park across two separate spells. The former Scotland international's first taste of management came with the Toffees in 2019, when he was appointed interim boss, and he fulfilled the same role once again in 2022.
Since his temporary tenure four years ago, the 54-year-old has taken charge at Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and is currently head coach of NIFL Premiership outfit Glentoran.
A move to Championship club Middlesbrough appeared to be on the cards for Ferguson in 2022, after it emerged that Manchester United boss Michael Carrick had turned down the position.
Speaking to The Telegraph, the former frontman suggested that the fearsome image he cultivated during his playing days - which included nine red cards - may well have contributed to his difficulties in securing managerial roles.
Ferguson said: "I can't get away from that. That was just how I played football.
"But I'm not like that off the pitch, unless you are breaking into my house! Other than that, I've been all right! I have been in Liverpool since I was 22 and if you are a wrong 'un, you'll get found out.
Glentoran FC manager Duncan Ferguson
Duncan Ferguson is now the manager of Glentoran FC in Northern Ireland (Image: Press Association)
"Maybe they can't see past it. A couple of years ago, I should have had the Middlesbrough job. Michael Carrick had said he didn't want it. I had smashed the interview; the two boys who interviewed me told they wanted to give it to me but they had to speak to [owner] Steve Gibson.
"I thought I had a right chance of getting it. A couple of days drifted by, then the sporting director phones. 'We've got bad news.' Carrick had changed his mind and he went back to Gibson and said he wanted the job. So they went with him."
Ferguson launched his Glentoran tenure last month with a 1-1 stalemate away at Coleraine and followed it up with a goalless draw away at Carrick today. He acknowledged that accepting the position is "costing a lot", but the chance to step back into management proved impossible to resist any longer.
He said: "I've given up a lot to come here, but it's a great chance. This is a great club and they've got great people. And when you are on the touchline?
"It's like what Big Sam says: 'A win's a win.' If you get three points, no matter what the level, on a Saturday, you feel great. If you lose, you feel like s***.
"I love working. When you are out of football, a day becomes like a month, you know what I mean? You're used to working every day. You're sitting around at home, a week feels like a year, so you get itchy."