Darren Ferguson

Darren Ferguson (born 9 February 1972) is a Scottish professional football manager and former player, who is currently the manager of League One club Peterborough United. Between his first and third stints with Peterborough, he also managed Preston North End and Doncaster Rovers

Darren Ferguson
Ferguson managing Peterborough United in 2013
Personal information
Full name Darren Ferguson[1]
Date of birth (1972-02-09) 9 February 1972[1]
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Peterborough United (manager)
Youth career
Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1994 Manchester United 27 (0)
1994–1999 Wolverhampton Wanderers 117 (4)
1999 Sparta Rotterdam 14 (1)
1999–2007 Wrexham 310 (51)
2007–2008 Peterborough United 0 (0)
Total 468 (56)
National team
1992–1993 Scotland U21 5 (0)
Teams managed
2007–2009 Peterborough United
2010 Preston North End
2011–2015 Peterborough United
2015–2018 Doncaster Rovers
2019– Peterborough United
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

As a player, Ferguson was managed at Manchester United by his father, Sir Alex Ferguson. He won a Premier League title[3] and the FA Charity Shield[4] in 1993 with the club before going on to spend most of his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wrexham in the lower divisions of English football.

Ferguson's first managerial appointment was as player-manager of League Two Peterborough United in January 2007. After two successive promotions, and guiding the club to the second-tier of English football for the first time in 17 seasons, Ferguson was relieved of his duties on 9 November 2009, with Peterborough United at the foot of The Championship.

Ferguson was appointed Preston North End manager on 6 January 2010. He was dismissed on 29 December 2010 after a string of poor results. On 12 January 2011, he was again appointed as the manager of Peterborough United, where he took the club to the League One play-off Final at Old Trafford, and in this match won promotion to the Football League Championship, the club's third promotion in four years, with a 3–0 victory over Huddersfield Town.

Peterborough United spent two seasons in the Championship after winning promotion. On 4 May 2013, Ferguson's side were relegated to League One after losing to Crystal Palace 3–2 on the final match of the season.

Playing career
Ferguson played for Manchester United under his father, Alex, from 1990 to 1994.

Ferguson was born in Glasgow.[1] He is the son of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.[5] He has two siblings: a twin brother, Jason, and an elder brother, Mark.

His father brought him through the youth ranks at Manchester United, giving him his first team debut in 1990. Ferguson played in United's first 15 games of the new Premier League in 1992–93 during the absence of the injured Bryan Robson, and although he did not start a league game after November, he played enough games to qualify for a title winner's medal at the end of the season (which, at the time, was a minimum of 10 matches).[2]

However, his first-team chances were very limited in 1993–94 and he was transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers for £250,000.[6] His final season at Old Trafford brought just five first team appearances, and with the introduction of squad numbers in the Premier League that campaign he had been issued with the number 18 shirt which would next be worn by Simon Davies.

He spent five years at Wolves, during which they qualified for the Division One play-offs twice and finished in the top 10 on four occasions, but never gained promotion to the Premier League. He left Wolves in 1999 to sign for Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam, but only made 14 appearances.[6]

Between 1999 and 2007 he played for Wrexham making 310 appearances, scoring 51 goals.[6] Ferguson captained them to win promotion to Division Two in 2002–03.[6] He also led the club to its first national trophy (in English football), the Football League Trophy, scoring the second goal himself in a 2–0 win over Southend United in 2004–05.[6]

Managerial career

In 2001, 29-year-old Ferguson was linked with the management post at Wrexham, following the departure of Brian Flynn. At the time, he assisted caretaker manager Joey Jones.[7] After manager Denis Smith was sacked in January 2007, Ferguson was again touted as a candidate, having by now played well over 300 games for the club, but coach Brian Carey was appointed instead.[8]

There were suggestions that Ferguson and Carey had clashed, as Ferguson had expected to be appointed. Carey, who had left Ferguson on the substitutes bench for his first game, denied this.[9] The pair had argued a year previously, following a defeat to Leyton Orient.[10] Ferguson later stated he was disappointed not to be considered for the management position, and stated the club would have done better under him than they did under Carey.[11]

Peterborough United

Shortly after his father celebrated 20 years as manager of Manchester United, Ferguson followed him into football management. In January 2007 he left Wrexham to become player-manager of fellow League Two side Peterborough United. Previous manager Keith Alexander had been sacked after a run of six straight defeats.[12] He led the club to a 10th-placed finish in his first season of management. In his first full season of management, he took Peterborough to second place in League Two, gaining promotion.[13] He was named League Two manager of the month for March 2008, after Peterborough won six games out of eight in the month.

In his second full season, 2008–09, he led Peterborough to second place and automatic promotion to the Championship. He also won the League One Manager of the Month award for March 2009, following six straight wins. Ferguson left Peterborough in November 2009, by mutual consent, with Posh bottom of the table.[14]

Preston North End

In January 2010, Ferguson signed as manager of Preston North End.[15] His first game at home as a manager was an FA Cup match against Chelsea on 23 January 2010 which his side lost 2–0. On 14 September 2010, Ferguson was charged with misconduct by the FA after his behaviour in the tunnel towards the referee after a 4–3 Championship defeat by Burnley.[16] After 49 games in charge, winning 13, drawing 12 and losing 24 games, he was sacked as manager on 29 December 2010, with Preston North End bottom of the Championship.[17]

Following his sacking by Preston, his father Sir Alex Ferguson immediately recalled all three Manchester United players on loan at Preston; Joshua King, Ritchie De Laet, and Matty James.[18] In addition, the Stoke City manager Tony Pulis recalled the two Stoke players on loan at Preston; Danny Pugh and Michael Tonge. This meant that in a single week, Preston had lost five key first-team players, effectively sealing the team's relegation.[19][20]

During a disappointing period as manager of Preston, in a spell which lasted less than a year, Ferguson had a comeback win in September 2010 when his Preston side beat Leeds United 6–4 after being 4–1 down at Elland Road. After the match Ferguson said: "I have never been involved in such an amazing game."[21]

Return to Peterborough United

In January 2011, Gary Johnson left his job as manager at Peterborough United, with the club several points adrift of the playoff places. On 12 January 2011, Ferguson was re-appointed as manager at Peterborough on a four-and-a-half-year contract.[22] His first match ended up in a defeat away to league leaders Brighton & Hove Albion, but the following week, in his first game at London Road since his return, Peterborough beat Hartlepool United 4–0. Peterborough United's promotion hopes was given a boost with a 5–3 win over promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday. A 0–5 away thumping of Oldham Athletic kept Ferguson's men within touching distance of the automatic promotion places.

The club ultimately finished fourth in League One, and after beating Milton Keynes 4–3 on aggregate, reached the play-off Final at Old Trafford against Huddersfield Town. Peterborough went on to defeat Huddersfield 3–0 to clinch a return to the Championship, just one year after they had been relegated.[23] By the end of the season, Peterborough had become the top-scoring side in the whole country, with 106 goals in total; their 46 league games generated a total of 181 goals, or 3.93 per game.

Peterborough spent two seasons in the Championship after winning promotion, before being relegated back to League One after losing to Crystal Palace 3–2 on the final day of the season. Peterborough had led the match with seven minutes remaining, but went on to lose in the final minute; a draw would have been enough to keep Peterborough in the Championship. Their total of 54 points during that season is to date the highest amount accrued by a relegated side in Championship history.[24] On 21 February 2015, following a 3–0 away defeat at Milton Keynes Dons which left the team 15th in the League One table, Ferguson left Peterborough United by mutual consent.[25]

Doncaster Rovers

Ferguson was appointed manager of League One club Doncaster Rovers on 16 October 2015.[26] They were relegated at the end of the 2015–16 season, but a third place finish in their only season in League Two saw the club win promotion back to League One in May 2017. Ferguson resigned from his role as manager on 4 June 2018, after guiding Rovers to 15th placed finish in their first season back in Sky Bet League One.[27]

Second return to Peterborough United

Ferguson was re-appointed as manager of League One club Peterborough United on 26 January 2019 for the third time with a deal agreed until the end of season after the dismissal of Steve Evans, with Gavin Strachan as his assistant.[28] [29]

Personal life

In June 2003, Ferguson married Nadine Metcalfe.[30]

On 23 October 2007, he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his estranged wife on the driveway of his father's home in Wilmslow, Cheshire. He was released on bail.[31] He appeared at Macclesfield Magistrates' Court on 23 January 2008 charged with common assault, to which he pleaded not guilty.[32] On 10 April 2008 he changed his plea to guilty and was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £200 in court costs.[33]

Managerial statistics
As of match played 6 February 2021
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref.
PWDLWin %
Peterborough United 20 January 2007 9 November 2009 145 73 32 40 050.34 [12][34]
Preston North End 6 January 2010 29 December 2010 49 13 11 25 026.53 [17][34]
Peterborough United 12 January 2011 21 February 2015 222 88 41 93 039.64 [34]
Doncaster Rovers 16 October 2015 4 June 2018 145 55 41 49 037.93 [34][35]
Peterborough United 26 January 2019 Present 95 47 19 29 049.47 [34]
Total 656 276 144 236 042.07 —

Honours

Player

Manchester United

Wrexham

Manager

Peterborough United

Doncaster Rovers

Individual

References
  1. "Darren Ferguson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  2. "Darren Ferguson – Manchester United Player Profile & Stats". MUFCINFO.com. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  3. Mannion, Damian (23 April 2013). "10 'rubbish' Man United players with more Premier League medals than Steven Gerrard". talksport.com. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  4. "1993 FA Charity Shield Line Up". MUFCINFO.com. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  5. "Sir Alex Ferguson: Son Darren grateful for support after ex-Manchester United boss hospitalised". BBC Sport. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  6. "Wrexham FC's top 20 signings: Darren Ferguson". Daily Post. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  7. "Dragons job 'too soon' for Ferguson". BBC Sport. 25 September 2001. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  8. "Carey to lead Dragons for season". BBC Sport. 12 January 2007. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  9. "Carey praises departed Ferguson". BBC Sport. 21 January 2007. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  10. "Wrexham deny Ferguson 'bust-up'". BBC Sport. 23 January 2006. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  11. "Wrexham's Carey error – Ferguson". BBC Sport. 8 November 2007. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  12. "Ferguson named Peterborough boss". BBC Sport. 20 January 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  13. "League One (Sky Sports)". SkySports. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  14. Taylor, Louise (9 November 2009). "Peterborough 'part company' with Darren Ferguson" – via www.theguardian.com.
  15. "Darren Ferguson named as Preston North End manager". BBC Sport. 6 January 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  16. "Preston boss Darren Ferguson handed misconduct charge". BBC Sport. 14 September 2010.
  17. "Darren Ferguson sacked as Preston North End boss". BBC. 29 December 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  18. agencies, Telegraph staff and (31 December 2010). "Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson recalls loan duo after Preston sack son Darren" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  19. Wallace, Sam (1 January 2011). "Preston fear the Ferguson effect as Stoke recall pair". The Independent. London. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  20. Willacy, Gavin (6 January 2011). "Ferguson gets spiteful as Preston prepare for relegation". When Saturday Comes. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  21. "Leeds 4–6 Preston". BBC Sport. 28 September 2010.
  22. "Darren Ferguson returns as Peterborough United manager". BBC Sport. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  23. Rej, Arindam (29 May 2011). "Huddersfield Town 0 Peterborough United 3". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  24. Bevan, Chris (4 May 2013). "Crystal Palace 3 Peterborough 2". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
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  32. "Peterborough boss denies assault". BBC Sport. 23 January 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  33. "Ferguson's son admits wife attack". BBC Sport. 10 April 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2010.
  34. "Managers: Darren Ferguson". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  35. "Doncaster Rovers 0–1 Bradford City". BBC Sport. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  36. "Darren Ferguson: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
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  38. "Rhyl 1–4 Wrexham". BBC. 12 May 2004. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  39. "Southend 0–2 Wrexham". BBC. 10 April 2005. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  40. "Swansea 2–1 Wrexham". BBC. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  41. "Wrexham 1–2 Swansea". BBC. 29 March 2006. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  42. "League Managers Association - Darren Ferguson". League Managers Association. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
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