Everton on Tuesday announced Duncan Ferguson will take over as caretake manager for the upcoming games, two days after firing Rafael Benitez from the position.
The former Liverpool boss’ torrid 200-day tenure at Goodison Park ended after a run of one win from 13 Premier League games that left the Toffees hovering close to the relegation zone.
This is the second time Ferguson will serve as Everton’s assistant manager. The 50-year-old former striker, who served as Benitez’s assistant, had previously taken charge on an interim basis after the sacking of Portuguese manager Marco Silva in December 2019.
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Ferguson revived Everton during his earlier spell in charge, as the Merseyside club beat Chelsea 3-1 two days after his appointment to left themselves out of the relegation zone. Everton also drew against Manchester United and Arsenal in that spell.
He also served as Carlo Ancelotti’s assitant after the Italian was announced manager later that month.
“The Blues legend took charge of training at USM Finch Farm on Tuesday morning as the squad began its preparations for the visit of Aston Villa to Goodison Park on Saturday,” Everton said in a statement.
“Ferguson will be supported in his caretaker position by John Ebbrell and Leighton Baines, along with Goalkeeping Coach Alan Kelly,” it added.
“An announcement on a permanent managerial appointment will be made in due course.”
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Everton have collected just 19 points from 19 games this season and are six points away from the relegation zone with another 19 games left. Everton is without a trophy since the 1995 FA Cup and hasn’t won the English championship since 1987.
Among potential contenders for the job are Wayne Rooney, the boyhood Everton fan turned precocious striker who went on to become the all-time leading scorer for England and Manchester United.
Everton’s next manager will be their sixth in six years.
