Duncan Ferguson has been appointed as the new manager of Glentoran. The 54-year-old former Everton striker takes charge at the BetMcLean Oval after a recruitment process that drew an extraordinary level of interest from high-profile candidates. He inherits a side that sits fourth in the Premiership with 17 points from 11 games, having recorded five wins, two draws, and four defeats.
Ferguson has been unattached since leaving his post at Inverness Caledonian Thistle in October 2024. He succeeds Declan Devine, who departed in September, and follows an interim spell under Paddy McCourt and Tim McCann.
Club owner Ali Pour highlighted the overwhelming response to the vacancy, which was never formally advertised. "Very quickly we had lots of CVs sent to us and while some were okay many were from amazing highly qualified managers," Pour said. He noted applicants had experience in England’s Premier League, Scotland’s Premiership, and Denmark’s top division, which he believes shows the size and appeal of Glentoran.
Pour also revealed that the club received a significant number of applications from managers currently working in the League of Ireland. Former Rangers forward Peter Lovenkrands was among those to register interest, while the club also initially considered Jim Magilton and Ian Baraclough. The club's board, led by Pour, conducted a thorough interview process before unanimously agreeing Ferguson was the outstanding candidate.
The task ahead
Ferguson arrives with a clear mandate to end a prolonged silverware drought. Glentoran have not won a league title since 2009 and agonisingly missed out on silverware on the final day of last season. He will implement a high-intensity philosophy to bridge the gap with league leaders.
That gap currently stands at 14 points to Coleraine, with Glentoran sitting fourth in the Premiership standings on 17 points from 11 games. Their recent form, however, provides a solid platform, having gone unbeaten in their last five matches. This run includes a 1-0 win over Limavady United on Saturday, part of a sequence of four wins and a draw. The team's overall record this season shows 15 goals scored and 10 conceded, giving them a goal difference of plus five.
The recent unbeaten run began with a 2-1 win at Cliftonville on 19 September, followed by victories over Carrick Rangers and Dungannon Swifts, a goalless draw at Portadown, and the win over Limavady United. Ballymena currently sit eighth in the table. The new manager's first task will be to maintain the team's positive momentum and start closing the points deficit. Ferguson said he was delighted to join a club of Glentoran's stature and is determined to bring success back to The Oval.
Read the full report at Belfast Telegraph
Duncan Ferguson has signed a multi-year contract, the club confirmed on October 19. The new manager stated his long-term commitment. "I have signed for the long term and will be living in Belfast," Ferguson said. Sporting director Paul Millar called it an exciting appointment that reflects the club's trophy ambitions. The side, now third with 20 points, sits 11 points off leaders Coleraine. They extended their unbeaten run to five games with a 1-0 win over Limavady United on October 17.
