Duncan Ferguson was revelling in what he described as an “incredible experience” following Everton's pulsating 3-1 win over Chelsea at a bouncing Goodison Park today but insists he's not thinking about becoming permanent boss.
The Toffees came into the game desperate for a result after three successive defeats that ultimately cost Marco Silva his job and Ferguson inspired his temporary charges to a hugely important victory that lifted the club out of the relegation zone.
The Scot was installed as caretaker boss on Thursday evening following the Anfield derby defeat and Silva's dismissal with Everton sitting in the bottom three.
Promising “blood and thunder” in his pre-match press conference, Ferguson was rewarded with a towering display from his players, an opener from Richarlison and a brace from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
“It was incredible today!” Ferguson beamed to BT Sport afterwards. “Honestly, I've never felt anything like it in my life. It was unbelievable. What an atmosphere.
“I know we had to defend a lot and probably sit back and keep in a good shape and pick a time to break. I think we did that well, we kept our shape well and, as you can see, it was a 4-4-2 screening their two holders. I thought we did that well and we pressed the ball well when it went wide.
“I thought Iwobi was unbelievable with his pressing; I thought all the players were absolutely fantastic.”
Asked if he was looking beyond today and towards the next few matches, the 47-year-old quipped: “I'm just looking to get home for a lie down, I think!
“No, I'm not looking too far ahead at all, to be honest with you. I was just looking at this game and that is it. We're just savouring the moment. It's three fantastic points for us, that's the main thing.
He was pressed on the issue by Jake Humphrey who floated the idea that he will be going to the Board and putting himself for the role on a permanent basis.
“Honestly, I won't be doing that. I'm here for Everton and I'm here for as long as they want me here. I'm sure they're out there looking for their candidates and rightly so — we want the best guys in the world managing our football club.
“But this was just an incredible experience for me that no one can ever take away from me.
“I think they (the hierarchy) saw how enthusiastic I was on the touchline but it's one game, it's one result.”
In his post-match press conference, he joked, "I don't think I could go through it again, to be honest with you!
"Listen, it was just one game at a time for me. I was asked to come in and I'd never turn down Everton Football Club but I'm also realistic. It was a game, I'm made up and delighted for the fans.
Three points is massive for us."
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Amazing atmosphere and great to see the most tackles in the Premier League this season for any team.
Congratulations to him and all the players.Thought Schneiderlin was exceptional. Thanks
IMO if Duncan does manage a win next week at Man U, then he should be offered the position to the end of the season (if he wants it), then take in from there.
Do his managerial confidence the power of good this experience, well in, Dunc
Well done Dunc. Enjoy it all.
United doesn't quite look a struggling side at the moment, next week is gonna be a tough one at Old Trafford. COYB.
Or we still looking down and trying to get some distance?
Great job Dunc.
Today doesn't fix the season but does set the bar high. Confidence to go forward is installed. No, we are not going to win five in a row but if we give all we can positive results will come.
Duncan has passed his first test. The players played for him. The crowd played his tune. Not a bad Saturday!
I'm not saying Duncan Ferguson must be coach but just maybe he might be the spark for our young centre forward to go on a run, much like Ferguson himself did under Joe Royle.
I've always felt that if he could put together a goal scoring run, he'd benefit from the confidence it would bring, shooting on instinct and gambling more.
Thus far in his time leading the line, we've created so few chances for him that he probably thinks too much about them when they come along and that accounts for some of the sitters.
Early days the big fella, I know you love our club, but so do I, but I'm not interested in bollocks, I'm only interested in Everton, and you proved you was the man today, singing "We Shall Not Be Moved!"
Let's now give Duncan a decent run, and who knows – he could end up as a permanent appointment. Also, he won't break the bank, whichever way it goes.
If I was anything to do with the club, as would you, I would put the feelings of the fans first, the history of the great players who sweated and fought their own deamons of the time, who set an example of what is possible, and stand up to, chase, tackle, grapple, close down and intimidate every opposition player until they submitted while attempting to impose my skills and ability onto them.
That would be the platform. From there, we would all go for goal by any means possible and look to score more than them. No matter who.
I don't suppose it would ever work to hire a manager who specialises in away victories and keep Duncan in for all the home games!! Tongue in cheek obviously but it was good to see him on the sidelines. And of course those ball boys will remember those celebrations for the rest of their lives.
I wonder how close we are to making a decision. This is Everton and we all kind of expect it to drag on for weeks and weeks. I just hope it's sooner rather than later and the feeling isn't tainted for him. Old Trafford might be a tough ask but l fancy us against Leicester and Arsenal.
Anyway, l was there for his goal against Utd, his hat trick against Bolton, him throwing Ince to the ground... and his final goal against WBA (if memory serves). This was a reminder to us all what feeling he served up for us. So cheers Duncan.
I just think Everton suit a certain style of play, the tippy tappy stuff only works in certain teams who have sublime world class talent, it's not even working at City this season as Liverpool romp to a title win with gusto, grit and passion.
I want that back at Everton FC.
What I witnessed today I want back, not temporary but permanently and that means appointment of a manager that wears his heart on his sleeve, not someone who will over complicate a simple game.
Duncan has distilled all of that into today's performance, and there are many on hear who have previously questioned his coaching credentials and worth to the Club given his peripheral role under successive previous managers.
With a Director of Football in charge of recruitment and a lack of obvious and available managerial candidates at this stage of the season I see know harm in sticking with Duncan and letting him continue until the end of the season. Brands needs to find a top class centre back in January, spending big money if needed. With the fight shown today we are going to be more than alright under Duncan if today can be replicated. He at least deserves a pop at Ole and Man Utd next weekend.
I personally believe the theory behind "football management philosophy" is flawed and that ultimately it comes down to the individual personality.
The whole pretence of philosophy inspired performance no more than a pretentious aim at justifying one's position as manager and is a cringe-worthy myth.
People respond to people and, for whatever reason, the Everton public and evidently the current first team respond to Duncan Ferguson.
Ask yourself who you would want on the touchline? A worried and insecure faux intellect or a big passionate loyal leader that rips the book up, has no time for the word 'nuance', and demands nothing but battering the opposition.
Duncan might be born to do this job. But he must be given a chance. I'm backing Duncan because what I saw today were the green shoots of our resurrection. Most likely not but we've got to take that chance.
If Duncan can get us through Christmas with an even or positive goal difference, he will rightfully be given the job. There was something about today.
Long term? He says that he's there as long as Everton want him.
Let's actually heed what he says, not get carried away with the relief, not all suddenly turning into gushing echoes of our Chairman.
Keep it real and enjoy it in the moment.
Great work, Big Dunc. Thanks.
But objective heads on, great result, fantastic to see the lads put a shift in, amazing to get the stadium pumping. BUT, can reverting to going long really be the change needed? How long until that gets sussed out. Does he have another way to play? Silva seemingly didn't, Bobby didn't often enough.
Savour the moment, but let's not get carried away yet. I would rather have this one moment and wonder what if than it be tarnished.
Of course Ferguson is going to say exactly that. It's ALL about 1 game at a time, playing or managing. He can only do what he does and see what happens.
He's got all the week to work on things for Man Utd away. Some rest and recovery, a bit of fine-tuning here and there, keep their crowd quiet, let them get on their team's backs for a change... I can't wait.
Personally I think he's a perfect caretaker, a few games, not an interim.
It's given the board time to search for a replacement. For that they should be truly grateful.
Big Dunc makes it sound so simple, but he engineered that win with one day to work with the squad. His excitement on the touchline also got the fans fired up. It's obvious that the ballboys and younger players love him, which is interesting as it shows he takes time with people at all levels of the club.
We have to find a top manager who understands the personality of the club and is a winner. Hopefully, we can now all recognise why successive managers have kept Duncan at the club as a coach.
Duncan gave us that is spades as well as keeping the crowd going.
It will be a real difficult one at Old trafford but at least we can enjoy this weekend and being out of the relegation places.
You don't think Dunc should stay beyond a few games as caretaker, but doesn't it worry you that the new manager will just go back to similar tactics of just playing a 4-2-3-1 and playing from the back?? It seems to be what every manager does these days.
Besides from installing some graft and passion I think Dunc might do very well because he might stick with a 4-4-2 which is an anomaly these days. I remember when Moyes was the first manager to use 1 up top regularly and teams weren't used to playing against that. Nowadays they're not used to playing against 4-4-2.
What do other people think about sticking with a 4-4-2??
On Friday, I watched Part 2 of Toffee TV's interview with Duncan. I will watch Part 1 at some stage.
If you haven't seen these interviews, they are well worth watching. Saw them on YouTube.
It might just change some people's views of him. He certainly has some interesting things to say. He definitely comes over as being loyal to the managers.
Jay @ 35 has it spot on when he says 'I think under the last few managers he has had to keep his powder dry but today was an outpouring of his love for the club and the fans and he was rewarded with our best game of the season especially considering the circumstances.'
I get the impression that Duncan would love to manage Everton one day, but realises he hasn't at the moment got the experience of the names being thrown around so probably not 'Fergie Time' just yet.
Obviously, the usual route to becoming a manager would be to begin lower down the leagues and gradually work your way up.
I can't see Duncan wanting to do this as he loves the city and the club, is grateful to the club for all it's given him, and wants the best for us. He's at the club he wants to be at already. If he got to be Manager, and failed, not sure where he'd go then. I think it would be hard for him to contemplate managing elsewhere.
As some on TW have alluded to, football is a very simple game made complicated by all the other stuff going on.
DCL with Richarlison supporting worked well. Tackling in packs worked extremely well and Schneid's roaming with more freedom also worked extremely well.
As a fan, what more can you ask for? Most fans were standing for the full 90 minutes, I kid you not the full 90 minutes AND supporting the team, it was not just shouting abuse at certain players.
The fans at Goodison want to see passion & pride from the players and then they WILL respond. Brands will have seen that for sure yesterday. As per days gone by, Duncan has reminded Goodison what a number 9 should do and what the fans should do. It was a great day to be a blue.
Get him a genius No.2 akin to the Clough/Taylor model and go for it, there is no other person in the world who could have done what Duncan did yesterday, fact.
I don't want some fancy Portuguese, Spanish, Italian experienced boss who's 'been there and done it', they are not Everton, Duncan is and if it's 4-4-2 steam rolling teams and getting scrappy goals then that's fine. Probably overly emotional after yesterday but sod it why not.
Our Ferguson can take us to OT next week and make them play and the supporters will love every second.
With regards to the game itself, our right back has a role to play going forward, is that his third or fourth assist? He needs cover behind him maybe we could have a Coleman - Sidibe axis on the right. We don't have sufficient pace in the central areas of our back four to play a high line and until such time as a centre half with pace is acquired we should scrap same. We also saw the advantages of keep DCL and Charlie closer together.
No matter what system you play, no matter how well you are or are not playing when you have the ball it should be a given that without the ball you are working your socks off to get it back. Some players worked harder yesterday than they have for the previous 10 games.
Steve Ferns, what's the story with the former Munch manager, I believe he was at the game, as regards the way he likes to set up?
Enjoy the rest of the weekend folks!
he is probably scared that if he took the role, failed and was sacked that would be the end of any involvement at Everton
Just a thought
But would love to see him given a few more games though - absolutely loved seeing him on the touchline, finally a manager with passion and you could see fight in the team!
So many childhood memories of Big Dunc.
On his day he was unstoppable but never fulfilled his potential...maybe that will actually help him as a manager?
"Unfinished business..." type of thing.
Just like most of the jobs in professional football, coach is not a job for life, especially at the one club. Dunc has to progress his career at some point – otherwise, other coaches will be brought in over his head.
If the manager job is offered to him, even if it's just for an interim period to see how he shapes up, I think he has to take it. If he has doubts about his ability to manage a big club like Everton, he has to overcome them.
An opportunity like this will not come along again, so he has to grab it with both hands and give it his best shot. He's got off to a great start and I have no doubt the supporters are 100% behind him. So onwards and hopefully upwards.
Duncan Ferguson, that was the difference, he drilled home what Everton is all about, there was none of this writing pad and explaining to a sub for ten minutes what to do – he told the players to go out and play for each other, he kept it simple and let the players do what they do best.
Every time there was a 50-50 ball, we got in there, if we lost the ball. Players chased and closed the opponents down, yesterday they played as a team.
Keep the game simple and stop over complicating the game with numerous tactics that would baffle even Einstein.
Before we bring in a new manager, I would certainly give Duncan the Leicester cup game at Goodison.
For the first time in a long time yesterday, Everton got their identity back, let's get Goodison rocking for the Leicester cup game, let these players get their confidence and belief back. After that, then and only then, bring in a new manager. For now, though, if I was Everton, I would hold back rushing to bring a new manager in.
I even consider Sam Allardyce and Neil Warnock better than that lot.
I only got to watch the highlights but it looks like those who were there had a great time. COYB
The 'past' being the operative word and with totally different (money no object) Clubs, I have been doing quite a lot of research myself recently with the situation regarding Silva, and looked into various possible candidates.
I feel both of the above would have little or no interest in 'us as a Club' – beyond that of a pre-retirement and mercenary incentive. I feel we should have a younger, but experienced Manager, who is something of an unknown quantity in this country, but nevertheless a proven winner. Preferably one who is NOT another Premier League Club admirer or supporter.
Which brings me to your formation question to which I totally agree with and with the players we currently have, I believe that 4-4-2 is the only pattern.
Playing with one up front only works if you have a Lukaku or the likes, but it was in evidence yesterday that, with Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, the chances were increased dramatically. Leicester have also looked better when Vardy is paired with Iheanacho.
Like most posts on these pages, I have expressed my opinion which may or may not be shared by everyone else, and I am by no means declaring that I am necessarily right, or wrong.
Personally, I'm just fed up trying to find the next big thing. Tbh, I don't even mind if it's an up and coming manager rather than a Benitez type who has won things at every level if the up and coming manager has won a trophy in a comparable league, like Germany, or Spain, but no more managers who have won cups in Greece and Portugal. And I know people will be respond that Mourinho wasn't bad. I just mean the recent batch of managers like Silva and Vitor Periera, who seem like the same fella when you analyse their experience and record.
But yes, going back to the formation. It's remarkable that the disjointed side that had no Identity under Silva now looks ten times better and is starting to forge an identity in the managers image. We need to calm it down at the moment but I really hope Dunc gets given until the end of the season if he can get a positive result against United or Arsenal
I completely agree, I don't think anyone else could have roused the team or the stadium up like that. Cahill maybe, possibly Arteta... but not Moyes.
I don't want Moyes back. Like any ex in a relationship that went on too long, rekindling it would just be sad and almost instantly the things that grated would resurface. He was great when he first came in, the People's Club, pride, aggression and importantly stability. But he should have left for his own good a few seasons earlier.
How he left and his actions directly after (while talking about himself in the third person at Man Utd) were completely unnecessary. He's bounced around a few other clubs, and we don't need the "knife to a gunfight", KITANO, dour, dull, out of position, crap we'd get. It's a worse idea than Peter Andre taking Jordon back.
Personally I'd love it if Duncan got the job. He can have a longer game-by-game 'interview'. I'd want to see how he would react when things aren't going great... but I'd much rather he brought out the Goodison roar, and a metaphoric Glaswegian kiss to our opposition. I loved he changed the formation, but I'd want him to change it up home away and depending on the opposition... the opposite of Moyes and most of the subsequent managers - not counting Martinez's Lukaku on the left trick which after it surprised Arsenal got used in the same way Maclaren kept trying to surprise teams with early 3 attacking subs (I know he wasn't at Everton)... but at least he didn't constantly get surprised, unlike Koeman. The fact that Ferguson alluded to that is good. It's very good, but it's early doors.
We're at a crossroads. Another bloody crossroads. It might not be the right time for Big Dunc, but I hope it is. I've been crying out for some passion, but it has to be legitimate, genuine passion, not manufactured just because Klipperty hops about at Mordor. Duncan Ferguson doesn't do manufactured. He seems very much to have grown up. I'd love him to get it. I'd love him to haul our club into where we should be... but maybe it's hoping too much in a very first managerial position.
Anyone without Premier League experience is going to struggle though. Maybe the only thing we can do is to enjoy it. For all the negative 'dithering' Moshiri stuff, I'm hoping he learnt his lesson with Unsworth, pre-Allardyce (God, what a prick that man is).
Plenty have questioned Big Dunc's coaching input, happily playing the cleverarse and inferring that all his contribution amounted to was setting out and collecting the cones for training. Shame upon them.
Where do these cockfarts get their "information" from ?
But its so bloody easy to spew out their unsubstantiated vapour and not be held into account.
Do not misunderstand Me. I am not proclaiming a new messiah. I'll comfortably take a leaf from The Big Mans book. He's in no rush to claim the Throne to God's Acre, he was simply happy beyond measure to have made a much-needed contribution even for a single fixture. Bravo Duncan.
As he correctly said, that if all that his managerial contribution amounts to was that single day and just three points then he'll take that with great pride. Bravo Duncan, because I was there and it was glorious.
Inevitably there will be some who are carried away upon a tide of positive emotion, that's their way. There will be those inevitable types here who can not even enjoy a single day in the sun. Well given the abject misery of Wednesday's derby, I can begin to understand their position without necessarily agreeing.
If Big Dunc is given another fixture then I suspect that he'll be delighted and flattered and keen as mustard. If only that would guarantee us three more points that would be magic, but let's be realistic, our underperformers could just as easily let Duncan down as they failed Marco. The difference (I suspect, but can not prove) might be that he is an entirely different man to deal with in such circumstances.
How long might "Duncan's Feelgood Roadshow" last ?
Take that same leaf out of his post-match interview.
All that I do know is that right now it feels bloody marvellous being an Evertonian again, a feeling that was haemorrhaging away from Me these last months.
Thanks, Duncan.
Duncan simply has to be given the job till the end of the season, just off that performance. One day to work with the players! Do you honestly think the level of graft he inspires is going to get us relegated? No chance. It's more likely to win us the FA Cup.
I'm impressed they really played for Dunc, maybe just perhaps there's a natural leader in there? There was no signs of the lacklustre approach under Silva.
I hope the board rewards him with the job until seasons end if he keeps this up until the new year, then come to the decision about a permanent manager.
I also found the link below in the ToffeeWeb archives:
All I know about his role in the club is that he has been retained under 4 managers. Lots of people have disparaged him as Duncan McCones and suchlike, but I've always felt he has been underrated. On the few occasions he has granted interviews he's come across as much more intelligent, thoughtful and reflective than the common view of him suggests.
Finally, he has met my 8-year-old nephew on trips over from Ireland over the past 3 years and every time he has been warm, welcoming and made his day. That little man has suffered slings and arrows in school from Man City and Liverpool fans but kept the faith and he's watched Dunc hugging the ballboy at least 25 times. He'll go into class with his chin up tomorrow.
We can be heroes, just for one day.
So Benitez, Howe and the rest do not fit the fill.
So how about Ange Postecoglou for the new manager. Most of you will never heard of him. He has done miracles as a player and a manager everywhere he has gone.
As a manager, he took Brisbane Roar from nowhere to two successive A-league championships in Australia, The Roar went over 30 games undefeated - a record.
He then took Australia to the 2014 World Cup where they performed credibly. He then qualified Australia for the 2018 World Cup but, after qualification, he moved to a club in the J-league in Japan. I have recently heard that his Japanese team have won the J-league for the first time in over 20 Years.
To me, he seems to me to be a better risk than most of the others being speculated on TW.
Where is the romance or excitement in that? You're really missing the point aren't you.
Duncan is our manager now. We all trust him. He's let us know he understands what's required. It's a simple decision to appoint him till May. No need to pressure him any further with a Solksjaer like contract, just till the end of the season.
He has been quite successful but the EPL is a far cry from those leagues he has managed in. A leap up to Everton might be a step too far.
Thinking outside the square, couldn't Everton sign him up and then loan him out in the Championship - just like we do with players. That would enable us to see what we are buying and reduce the risk and cost. Is loaning out managers allowed in the UK leagues?
I agree with Andrew (71) that in the near term Big Dunc needs to be given a run to see what he can deliver - possibly until the end of the season.
(1) Duncan made all Evertonians feel great last Saturday
(2) We have totally screwed up in appointing managers over the last few years
(3) We should forget about appointing any manager who is unable to communicate fluently and with passion.
(4) Preferably he will have Premier League experience, either as a player or a manager
(5) He must be accepted by at least 80% of the fans.
(6) Give Dunc at least six games to prove himself. He inspires the fans as much as he does the players.
(7) While we may be in a desperate situation rushing to sign a new manager will be one more huge mistake.
(8) MOST IMPORTANT: He must already despise those people on the wrong side of Stanley Park.
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| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Chelsea | 38 | 6 | 52 |
| 11 | Fulham | 38 | -4 | 52 |
| 12 | Newcastle | 38 | -2 | 49 |
| 13 | Everton | 38 | -3 | 49 |
| 14 | Leeds | 38 | -7 | 47 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 38 | -10 | 45 |
| 16 | Nottingham Forest† | 38 | -3 | 44 |
1 Posted 07/12/2019 at 19:10:57