Duncan Ferguson AXED by Inverness along with coaching staff as crisis club plunged deeper into turmoil
DUNCAN FERGUSON has been axed as Inverness manager.
Administrator James Stephen pulled the trigger on the Everton legend, number two Gary Bollan and goalie coach Stuart Garden this afternoon.
Ferguson had been working without wages in a bid to help the club during their cash crisis - but the BDO accountancy team still shunted him out the door.
Stephen was drafted in as Caley crashed under the weight of a £3 million debt, with £1.6 million estimated to be what they need to get through to the end of the season.
Ferguson took over last season but it became immediately clear the job wasn’t what he’d been sold on his return to Scottish football.
The 52-year-old inherited a mess at the Caley Stadium and last season paid out of his own pocket for the players to have overnight stays during their battle against relegation from the Championship.
read more football stories
Ferguson and Bollan stayed despite dropping into League One, but things got progressively worse as the full horrors of Caley’s financial woes mounted up.
They spent weeks without a physio so couldn’t train the team at set times, with the gaffer also stepping in to pay for players’ breakfasts in a bid to retain some professionalism.
Caley adviser Alan Savage took over in August and immediately axed controversial chief executive Scot Gardiner, while admitting that administration was a real possibility.
Despite talks with interested parties last week, including local businessman David Anderson, Caley were officially put under the control of administrators BDO on Tuesday.
Most read in Football
Stephen, who was part of the team which wound up Rangers in 2012, has wasted no time in dismissing the coaching team.
And he will now turn his attention to other club staff and players in a bid to balance the books.
Caley legend Charlie Christie is understood to have addressed the team this morning and has made it clear he is willing to stay on and oversee the football side if Stephen asks him to.
It appears likely he will play a role in team matters as they bid to overcome the 15-point deduction which has left them adrift at the bottom of the league.
The administrator will continue his cost-cutting over the next 24 hours before hosting a press conference on Thursday where he’ll spell out his view on the club’s long-term survival hopes.
Highs and lows of Duncan Ferguson's career
Highs:
- Successful Spell at Rangers: Ferguson won the Scottish Premier Division title with Rangers in the 1993-94 season, marking an impressive achievement early in his career.
- Everton Hero and FA Cup Triumph: Ferguson became a cult hero at Everton, known for his passionate performances and scoring crucial goals. He was part of the squad that won the FA Cup in 1995.
- Interim Manager at Everton: In 2019, Ferguson served as caretaker manager for Everton, earning praise for his leadership and passion, including a memorable 3-1 victory over Chelsea in his first match in charge.
- Everton Hall of Fame: Inducted into the Everton Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy at the club and recognising his significant contributions over the years.
- Fan Favourite and Coaching Role: His combative style and dedication made him a favourite among fans. After retiring, he continued to contribute to Everton as part of the coaching staff, helping to develop younger players.
Lows:
- Injuries and Disciplinary Issues: Ferguson's career was plagued by injuries and disciplinary issues, which limited his appearances and impact on the field. His fiery temper led to several suspensions.
- Prison Sentence: In 1995, Ferguson served a short prison sentence for an on-field headbutt during a match while playing for Rangers, a major low point in his career.
- Limited International Career: Despite his talent, Ferguson only earned 7 caps for Scotland, partly due to his disciplinary record and disagreements with the national team management.
- Struggles at Newcastle and Managerial Challenges: His time at Newcastle United was less successful, with fewer goals and limited impact. As interim manager at Everton, he faced the tough task of stabilising a struggling team. In January 2023, Ferguson was appointed manager of Forest Green Rovers. However, the team struggled in League One and were relegated to League Two, marking a challenging period in his managerial career.
- Managerial Stint at Inverness Caley Thistle: Ferguson was appointed manager of the Highland club in September 2023 and couldn't steer them clear of relegation from the Scottish Championship. He later admitted to working with no salary to help the club through its current financial crisis before he was shown the door by the side after they were plunged into administration.
Our New YouTube Channel
Subscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and amazing moments.
We've got every major development covered from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and the rest of the Scottish Premiership.
Plus we have TWO brilliant new podcasts to watch every week...
MONDAY
Go Ballistic with Roger Hannah and special guest Kris Boyd will dissect all the weekend action and deliver their no-holds-barred reaction.
WEDNESDAY
Robert Grieve and Bill Leckie chew over the tastiest topics in Scottish football and offer their unique takes in their Coffee Club.
FRIDAY
Go Ballistic is back with Roger Hannah and top tipster Jim Delahunt looking ahead to the weekend games and analysing the biggest talking points.
Subscribe now and don't miss a thing.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page