Everton legend Duncan Ferguson has made a surprise decision to return to the dugout with a club that nobody would have expected.

After a legendary senior playing career lasted 16 years, Premier League hardman Ferguson decided to pursue a career in management, twice taking over temporarily at former club Everton fore permanent managerial spells at Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

His most recent spell ended in October 2024 after Inverness Caledonian Thistle was put into administration, but now two years later he's decided to return for what's being labelled as 'most extraordinary appointment in the history of Irish League football.'

Duncan Ferguson returns to management with stunning appointment

Following Ferguson's dismissal at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, it was not known if the Scot would ever return to the dugout or if we could continue pursuing media work.

However, as per the Belfast Telegraph, he is now set to take over as manager of Belfast-based Glentoran, who are currently fourth in the Northern Ireland Football League Premiership.

Ferguson had been linked with the job since Declan Devine left by mutual consent last month amid the east Belfast outfit's poor start to the Irish Premiership season.

Glentoran have been without a permanent boss since Devine left, with Paddy McCourt and Tim McCann taking them to three wins and a draw across their four Premiership matches as an interim team.

But the appointment isn't likely to go down well with everyone at the club, with former star player Shane McCabe recently admitting he was hesitant about the links between Glentoran and Ferguson.

"I'm pleasantly surprised (there’s not been an appointment) in a way because they're hopefully doing their due diligence,” McCabe told the News Letter.

“I think you need to know the league. I think you need to have a good knowledge of the way the league's played and the leagues around it as well.

"I would always try and have someone that's local, has good expertise and has a good management style, but again, if there's a real top class candidate..."

He added: "Who wouldn't like to see Duncan Ferguson standing on the sideline in a big league derby? "I think that's (lack of Irish League experience) the big risk."