Darren Ferguson
Encyclopedia
Darren Ferguson is a Scottish
football manager
and former player, currently in his second spell as the manager of Peterborough United. Between his first and second stints with Peterborough, he also managed Preston North End
.
As a player, Ferguson was managed at Manchester United
by his father Alex Ferguson
, but spent most of his playing 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 finals
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
.
manager Alex Ferguson
. 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.
However, his first-team chances were very limited in 1993–94 and he was transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers
for £250,000. 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
. Between 1999 and 2007 he played for Wrexham making more than 300 appearances, scoring over 50 goals and helping them win promotion to Division Two in 2003. Ferguson also won the Football League Trophy
with Wrexham after scoring the second goal in a 2–0 win over Southend United
in 2004–05.
. At the time, he assisted caretaker manager Joey Jones
. After manager Denis Smith was sacked in January 2007, Ferguson was again touted as a candidate, but coach Brian Carey
was appointed instead. 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. The pair had argued a year previously, following a defeat to Leyton Orient
. 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.
, 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. 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. 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 has 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.
. 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 September 14, 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. After 49 games in charge, winning 13, drawing 12 and losing 24 games he was finally sacked as manager on 29 December 2010, leading to weeks of celebration on the streets of Preston, with Preston North End bottom of the Championship. Following his sacking by Preston, his father Sir Alex Ferguson immediately recalled all three Manchester United players on loan at Preston due to the fact that he was unable to stand his son's incompetence and felt it only fitting to do his best to cripple his former employers and kindly allow the three players to rot in his reserve side instead; . In addition, Sir Alex also forced his weak-willed friend, the Stoke City boss Tony Pulis, to recall the two Stoke players on loan at Preston; Danny Pugh and Michael Tonge. This meant that in a single week, Preston had lost five irreplaceable first-team players, effectively sealing their relegation. Perhaps his only positive achievement at the club was to beat Leeds 6-4, from being 4-1 down.
as manager. His first match ended up in a defeat away to League One leaders Brighton & Hove Albion
. The following week in his first game at London Road since his return, Peterborough beat Hartlepool United 4–0, showing signs of improvement in Peterborough's previously leaky defence. He then suffered the embarrassment of a 1–2 away defeat at local team Colchester United
after the Posh took the lead within 60 seconds. Peterborough United's promotion dream was given a boost with a 5–3 win over promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday. A 0–5 away thumping of Oldham 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 finals
at Old Trafford
against Huddersfield Town
. Peterborough United beat Huddersfield Town 3–0 to return to the Championship on 29 May 2011, just one year afer being relegated. At the end of the season, Peterborough were the top-scoring club in the country, with 106 goals (their 46 league games generated a total of 181 goals, or 3.93 per game).
, Cheshire
. He was released on bail. He appeared at Macclesfield Magistrates Court on 23 January 2008 charged with common assault, to which he pleaded not guilty. On 10 April 2008 he changed his plea to guilty and was fined £1500, plus costs.This event has been latched onto by supporters of rival teams, leading to terrace chants of "Darren Ferguson beats his wife". Ferguson married again to Nicola, with whom he has a second son, Frankie, born 2010. He lives with his wife and three children in Stamford, East Anglia.
Wrexham
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
football manager
Manager (association football)
In association football, a manager is responsible for running a football club or a national team. The manager of a professional club is responsible directly to the club president. The position of manager is almost exclusively used in British football...
and former player, currently in his second spell as the manager of Peterborough United. Between his first and second stints with Peterborough, he also managed Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
.
As a player, Ferguson was managed at Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
by his father Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
, but spent most of his playing career at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
and Wrexham in the lower divisions of English football.
Ferguson's first managerial appointment was as player-manager of League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
in January 2007. After two successive promotions, and guiding the club to the second-tier of English football
English football league system
The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...
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
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
.
Ferguson was appointed Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
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
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, where he took the club to the League One play-off finals
2011 Football League One play-off Final
The 2011 Football League One play-off final was a football match contested by Huddersfield Town and Peterborough United on 29 May 2011 at Old Trafford to decide the third team to be promoted from League One to the Championship for the 2011–12 season....
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
, and in this match won promotion to the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
, the club's third promotion in four years, with a 3–0 victory over Huddersfield
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
.
Biography
Ferguson is the son of Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
manager Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
. He has two siblings: a twin brother, Jason, and an elder brother, Mark.
His father brought him through the youth ranks at Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, 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
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson OBE is an English football manager and a former player. He is best known for playing in midfield for Manchester United, where he was the longest serving captain in club history. He was the manager of Sheffield United, being relieved of his first team duties at the club in February 2008...
, 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.
However, his first-team chances were very limited in 1993–94 and he was transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
for £250,000. 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
Simon Davies (footballer born 1974)
Simon Ithel Davies is a former international Welsh footballer who has managerial experience in The Football League with Chester City, where he is now youth team manager.-Playing career:...
.
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
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
side Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam is the oldest professional football team in the Netherlands, established on April 1, 1888. Sparta is one of three professional football clubs from Rotterdam, the others being Excelsior and Feyenoord , the latter playing in the Eredivisie.-History:Sparta was first founded in 1887....
. Between 1999 and 2007 he played for Wrexham making more than 300 appearances, scoring over 50 goals and helping them win promotion to Division Two in 2003. Ferguson also won the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
with Wrexham after scoring the second goal in a 2–0 win over Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
in 2004–05.
Football management
In 2001 Ferguson was linked with the management post at Wrexham, following the departure of Brian FlynnBrian Flynn
Brian Flynn, is a Welsh football manager and former Welsh international player.On 13 September 2010 Flynn was confirmed caretaker manager of the Wales national football team after John Toshack stepped down...
. At the time, he assisted caretaker manager Joey Jones
Joey Jones
For other persons named Joey Jones, see Joey Jones.For other similarly named people, see Joseph Jones or Joe Jones.Joseph Patrick "Joey" Jones is a former Wales international football full-back who played for Liverpool for three seasons, including the 1977 season, in which they chased "the...
. After manager Denis Smith was sacked in January 2007, Ferguson was again touted as a candidate, but coach Brian Carey
Brian Carey
Brian David Carey is an Irish football manager and former player. He is currently on the coaching staff of Wrexham, having been manager there between January and November 2007.-Playing career:...
was appointed instead. 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. The pair had argued a year previously, following a defeat to Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
. 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.
Peterborough United
Shortly after his father celebrated twenty years as manager of Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, Ferguson followed him into football management. In January 2007 he left Wrexham to become player-manager of fellow League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
. Previous manager Keith Alexander
Keith Alexander (footballer)
Keith Alexander was a Saint Lucian footballer and manager. Born in Nottingham, England, he was the manager of League Two side Macclesfield Town at the time of his death, in a career that included international appearances for Saint Lucia. Alexander played for a whole host of lower league football...
had been sacked after a run of six straight defeats. 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
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
, gaining promotion. 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
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. He has 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.
Preston North End
In January 2010, Ferguson signed as manager of Preston North EndPreston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. 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 September 14, 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. After 49 games in charge, winning 13, drawing 12 and losing 24 games he was finally sacked as manager on 29 December 2010, leading to weeks of celebration on the streets of Preston, with Preston North End bottom of the Championship. Following his sacking by Preston, his father Sir Alex Ferguson immediately recalled all three Manchester United players on loan at Preston due to the fact that he was unable to stand his son's incompetence and felt it only fitting to do his best to cripple his former employers and kindly allow the three players to rot in his reserve side instead; . In addition, Sir Alex also forced his weak-willed friend, the Stoke City boss Tony Pulis, to recall the two Stoke players on loan at Preston; Danny Pugh and Michael Tonge. This meant that in a single week, Preston had lost five irreplaceable first-team players, effectively sealing their relegation. Perhaps his only positive achievement at the club was to beat Leeds 6-4, from being 4-1 down.
Return to Peterborough United
On 12 January 2011, Ferguson returned to Peterborough UnitedPeterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
as manager. His first match ended up in a defeat away to League One leaders Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
. The following week in his first game at London Road since his return, Peterborough beat Hartlepool United 4–0, showing signs of improvement in Peterborough's previously leaky defence. He then suffered the embarrassment of a 1–2 away defeat at local team Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
after the Posh took the lead within 60 seconds. Peterborough United's promotion dream was given a boost with a 5–3 win over promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday. A 0–5 away thumping of Oldham 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
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
4–3 on aggregate, reached the play-off finals
2011 Football League One play-off Final
The 2011 Football League One play-off final was a football match contested by Huddersfield Town and Peterborough United on 29 May 2011 at Old Trafford to decide the third team to be promoted from League One to the Championship for the 2011–12 season....
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
against Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. Peterborough United beat Huddersfield Town 3–0 to return to the Championship on 29 May 2011, just one year afer being relegated. At the end of the season, Peterborough were the top-scoring club in the country, with 106 goals (their 46 league games generated a total of 181 goals, or 3.93 per game).
Personal life
In June 2003, he married Nadine Metcalfe. The couple, who have two children, Charlie (Nadine's son from a previous relationship, born 1999) and Grace (2002), separated in August 2007. On 23 October 2007, Ferguson was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his estranged wife on the driveway of his father's home in WilmslowWilmslow
-Economy:Wilmslow is well known, like Alderley Edge, for having many famous residents, notably footballers, stars of Coronation Street and rich North West businessmen. The town is part of the so-called Golden Triangle in the north west together with Alderley Edge and Prestbury...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
. He was released on bail. He appeared at Macclesfield Magistrates Court on 23 January 2008 charged with common assault, to which he pleaded not guilty. On 10 April 2008 he changed his plea to guilty and was fined £1500, plus costs.This event has been latched onto by supporters of rival teams, leading to terrace chants of "Darren Ferguson beats his wife". Ferguson married again to Nicola, with whom he has a second son, Frankie, born 2010. He lives with his wife and three children in Stamford, East Anglia.
Player
Manchester United- Premier League (1): 1992–93
Wrexham
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
(1): 2004–05
Manager
Peterborough United- Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Play Off Winners (promotion to The ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
) (1): 2010–112010–11 Football League OneThe 2010–11 Football League One is the seventh season of the league under its current title and nineteenth season under its current league division format... - Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Runners-up (promotion to The ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
) (1): 2008–09 - Football League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Runners-up (promotion to League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
) (1): 2007–082007–08 Football League TwoThe Football League 2007–08 , was the sixteenth season under its current league division format. It began in August 2007 and concluded in May 2008, with the promotion play-off finals....
Managerial statistics
- As of 29 November 2011.
Team Nat From To Record G W L D Win % Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C.Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
21 January 2007 29 November 2009
Preston North End Preston North End F.C.Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... 6 January 2010 29 December 2010
Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C.Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... 12 January 2011 Present
Total
External links