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Exclusive: Duncan Ferguson Urges Everton to '100%' Bring Ex-Star Back to Club
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Oct 21, 2026, 6:15 PM GMT+1

James Beavis is a Senior Editor at GIVEMESPORT and has worked in the online football media industry for more than 10 years, having graduated with a Sports Journalism degree from Southampton Solent University in 2012.

James joined Football FanCast in 2016 following a three-year spell working for Shoot Magazine, working his way up from freelance writer to editor, before moving across to GMS in 2020.

James has created exclusive, opinion and news content on GIVEMESPORT, with a predominant focus on the Premier League.

He has also developed strong working relationships with top tier journalists such as Fabrizio Romano, Dharmesh Sheth and Ben Jacobs, regularly chatting to them as part of an exclusives initiative.

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Everton legend Duncan Ferguson has an important message for Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi, having just been announced as the new manager of Glentoran in the Northern Ireland Football League Premiership.

Ferguson's previous job was at Inverness Caledonian Thistle in Scotland, but he left them in October 2024, the day after they had been placed into administration.

Previously, the 54-year-old, one of the best Everton players in Premier League history, has had two separate spells in interim charge of the Toffees, overseeing one draw, three draws and one defeat.

The decision to move to Glentoran has been a surprise to some, but the former striker says he was desperate to get back into management, and is already targeting winning the league title.

Speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, Ferguson said:

"It's a great opportunity for myself to live the dream, continue to live the dream. It's a passion. Football, management, coaching, something that I love, and I really thought this was too good an opportunity to turn it down.

I spoke to the owner. Good fella. He's invested a lot of money in the club historically over the last five or six years. They've got ambition, and the owner wants to win the league. He told me that. So I thought, you know what? I've got a bit of chance here.

Tottenham striker Richarlison scored the first goal of Ferguson's managerial career in his first spell in interim charge of Everton, and he is a player who he clearly still has a fondness for.

It has been a difficult time for the Brazil international, who looks unlikely to play senior football again until January, having failed to secure a move away from the club in the summer.

Richarlison is unable to play in the Premier League for Spurs having been omitted from their 25-man squad for the competition, while there are no signs of the relationship between him and De Zerbi being fixed after honest conversations over the summer.

Speaking to GMS, Ferguson has urged the Italian coach to kiss and make up with the 29-year-old but, if that isn't possible, he would love to see him back in an Everton shirt.

100% sign him, sign him. I worked with him. I worked with Richarlison, and he's a winner. He's a fighter. He was loved at Everton.

"He scored my first goal in management. Never forget it. Corner, bang header against Chelsea. Great player, great work ethic.

"My advice to the Tottenham manager is to get him back in your team and put your arm around him, kiss and make up. That's all you need to do. Kiss and make up. Before you know it, it's all better.

"Me personally, as an Evertonian, I'd love him back at Everton."

Richarlison Can Secure Everton Return

Tottenham striker Richarlison looks on ahead of Brentford game
Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

What is clear is that not only is a Tottenham exit in January for Richarlison looking likely, but also that Everton need a new striker in the New Year after their disaster on transfer deadline day.

The links are inevitable, but progress will need to be made in talks between player and club after the BBC's Sami Mokbel claimed in the summer that the Brazilian had failed to agree personal terms over a return to Merseyside.

Richarlison Record for Everton

Appearances

152

Minutes

12,414

Goals

53

Assists

15

The big positive of a deal for the 29-year-old is that Everton know that he is proven in the Premier League, he will give his all for the shirt, and he would instantly be loved by supporters.

He had a decent record in a blue shirt too and he would have a huge point to prove given how his Tottenham career has gone in recent months.

Premier League Era Before or After

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Round 1 of 9

There will likely be a few suitors for the South American star in January if clubs are looking for goals to save their seasons, but Everton should hold an advantage if the player wants to stay in England.

Ferguson clearly believes it would be a great move for Everton and the player, and now it's up to club chiefs to see if they believe the same.

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