Former Newcastle, Everton and Rangers striker takes on new role in football management

A former Newcastle United striker has agreed a deal to return to Scotland for the first time in 29 years.

Duncan Ferguson was signed by Newcastle from Everton in summer of 1998 for a fee of around £8m. The transfer came as a result of Everton’s financial difficulties at the time and the sale was completed without the approval of former Blues boss Walter Smith.

Ferguson scored twice at St James’ Park for Ruud Gullit’s side but made just seven appearances in his first season due to injury.

The Scottish international made a substitute appearance in Newcastle’s 1999 FA Cup final loss at Wembley. Ferguson, like Shearer, was left on the bench for a famous Tyne Wear Derby defeat to Sunderland in 1999, which ultimately proved to be Gullit’s last game in charge of the Magpies.

Ferguson returned to Everton in 2000 and spent the final six years of his playing career on Merseyside. He remained associated with the Blues after his retirement and worked as the club’s academy coach, first team coach, assistant manager and even briefly the interim manager.

The ex-Scotland star pursued his dream to become a manager in January 2023 but was unable to prevent Forest Green from being relegated to the fourth-tier of English football.

Ferguson has been out of football management since June but he has agreed to make a sensational return to Scottish football where he last played in 1994. Ferguson returns to management with Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Championship and he replaces former manager Billy Dodds.

He inherits a team that are currently bottom of the division and winless in their opening six games, with one draw and five defeats.

A statement from Inverness reads: “The club is delighted to announce the appointment of Duncan Ferguson as the new Manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club.

“The Everton legend joins us on a 3 year deal following an extensive recruitment process which involved some truly excellent candidates.

“Duncan has worked alongside some of the most respected and outstanding football coaches in the world in recent seasons and we are proud to have him join ICTFC as our new Manager. His professionalism, commitment and dynamic leadership skills shone through in our discussions, making him the stand out candidate.

“Everyone at the club is looking forward to supporting Duncan as the hard work starts now and we hope every Caley Jag will now get right behind him and the team in what we are sure will be a thrilling journey.”