Duncan Ferguson

Born in Stirling, Ferguson played for the juvenile side Carse Thistle, initially as a left-back.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=QA30pOgRAd1On4-0&t=937&v=pYkHcex1cL0&feature=youtu.be |title=Duncan Ferguson: Red Cards, Bust Ups & Goodison Park Memories {{!}} Stick to Football 79 |date=2025-04-17 |last=The Overlap |access-date=2025-04-17 |via=YouTube}} Dundee United signed him as a schoolboy, and he went on to win the BP Youth Cup in 1990. Later that year, on 10 November, Ferguson made his professional debut for them against Rangers at Ibrox Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.arabarchive.co.uk/player.php?id=130|title=Duncan Ferguson|publisher=ArabArchive.co.uk|access-date=21 February 2014}} His first goal was an extra-time winner against East Fife in the Scottish Cup on 29 January 1991.

The following season saw him become a first-team regular. With 41 appearances and 16 goals, he became the club's top scorer. His good form continued in 1992–93 with 33 appearances and 15 goals. The form he displayed at Dundee United also saw him win a call-up to the Scotland national team.

File:Duncan_Ferguson_1994.png.]]

A 22-year-old Ferguson moved to Rangers in 1993 for a transfer fee of £4 million,{{Cite web |date=2025-04-17 |title='I cried when Rangers wanted to get rid of me - there was too much pressure to succeed' |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rangers/i-cried-when-rangers-wanted-to-get-rid-of-me-there-was-too-much-pressure-to-succeed-5087730 |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=The Scotsman |language=en}} which set a new British record.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/aug/17/sport.comment5 |title=What a waste of money |first=Jamie |last=Jackson |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 August 2003 |access-date=18 April 2019}} During a match with Raith Rovers in April 1994, Ferguson headbutted the visitors' John McStay in the south-west corner of the Ibrox pitch.{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/english/from-infamy-to-hall-of-fame-jock-mcstay-finds-peace-1-3940289 |title=From infamy to Hall of Fame, Jock McStay finds peace |work=The Scotsman |date=7 November 2015 |access-date=18 April 2019 |first=Alan |last=Pattullo}} Referee Kenny Clark did not see the incident, but Ferguson was subsequently charged and found guilty of assault.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/soccer-player-jailed-for-foul-play-1577101.html |title=Soccer player jailed for foul play |first=Richard |last=Brennan |work=The Independent |date=12 October 1995 |access-date=18 April 2019}} As it was his third conviction for assault, he received a three-month prison sentence in October 1995.{{Cite web|url=http://www.scottishleague.net/archive/archive45.htm|title=SCOTTISH LEAGUE SFAQS|website=Scottishleague.net|access-date=31 October 2021}} The SFA banned Ferguson for 12 matches before the court case was heard.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12697532.sfa-beaks-deliver-their-verdict-on-ferguson-striker-considers-appealing-against-his-12-game-ban/|title=SFA beaks deliver their verdict on Ferguson. Striker considers appealing against his 12-game ban|website=HeraldScotland.com|date=13 May 1994 |access-date=31 October 2021}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=bW6MVJiyGqpfCmKA&t=359&v=pYkHcex1cL0&feature=youtu.be |title=Duncan Ferguson: Red Cards, Bust Ups & Goodison Park Memories {{!}} Stick to Football 79 |date=2025-04-17 |last=The Overlap |access-date=2025-04-17 |via=YouTube}}

Ferguson scored a last-minute winner against Motherwell, from a Brian Laudrup pass, in the first game of the season.{{cite news|title=Scottish Football: Rangers count cost of McCoist injury|first=David|last=McKinney|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/scottish-football-rangers-count-cost-of-mccoist-injury-1376613.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110120045/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/scottish-football-rangers-count-cost-of-mccoist-injury-1376613.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 November 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=15 August 1994|access-date=20 January 2011|location=London}} Four days later, he scored a hat-trick in a 6–1 win over Arbroath.{{cite news|title=Hateley's hundred leads to a seaside stroll for Rangers|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12692321.hateleys-hundred-leads-to-a-seaside-stroll-for-rangers/|website=The Herald Scotland|date=18 August 1994|access-date=16 March 2024}}{{cite news|title=Duncan Ferguson factfile|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/duncan-ferguson-factfile-1.317428|newspaper=The Herald|date=25 November 1998|access-date=20 January 2011}}

Of Ferguson's time at Rangers, one of his strike partners Mark Hateley said: "Duncan was a really good player, but I think he came to Rangers a couple of years too early. Walter Smith wanted me to take him under my wing. He was a boisterous young lad who wanted to play all the time. It was a period in his career where he'd gone from being a big fish in a small pond to being a small fish in the big pond at Rangers. He probably found that a bit difficult."[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxYnPCuQeYg "MARK HATELEY | Open Goal Meets... Former Rangers, England, AC Milan & Monaco Striker"] – Open Goal, YouTube, 29 November 2021 Smith was the assistant manager at Dundee United when he spotted a young Ferguson in Tayside youth football. Smith had moved on to Rangers by the time Ferguson arrived at Tannadice.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=BN4Zm4ZmafevUlFs&t=1078&v=pYkHcex1cL0&feature=youtu.be |title=Duncan Ferguson: Red Cards, Bust Ups & Goodison Park Memories {{!}} Stick to Football 79 |date=2025-04-17 |last=The Overlap |access-date=2025-04-17 |via=YouTube}}

In October 1994, Everton were struggling under the management of Mike Walker and looking for options to reinvigorate their faltering season. The solution enacted was to take two Rangers players on a loan deal, Ian Durrant for one month and Ferguson for three. Ferguson's move to Everton was later made permanent by Walker's successor Joe Royle, and Ferguson played a key role in saving Everton from relegation, and also helping them win the 1994–95 FA Cup.{{cite news|title=Football: Everton loan for Ferguson and Durrant|first=Derek|last=Potter|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-everton-loan-for-ferguson-and-durrant-1440770.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=4 October 1994|access-date=20 January 2011|location=London}} The subsequent 1995–96 season was less successful for Ferguson. A persistent hernia problem caused him to be unavailable for large amounts of time, as did his prison sentence during the first half of the season.{{cite news|title=Ferguson has second operation|first=Catherine|last=Riley|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ferguson-has-second-operation-1598972.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=1 September 1995|access-date=20 January 2011|location=London}}

On 28 December 1997, Ferguson scored a hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers in a 3–2 victory, the first time that a trio of headers had been scored in the Premier League.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/43030.stm |title=Ferguson hits hat-trick for Everton |publisher=BBC |date=28 December 1997 |access-date=15 July 2009}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38232131|title=West Bromwich Albion 3–1 Swansea City|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 December 2016|access-date=29 May 2017}} Everton finished the season surviving relegation only on goal difference.

Ferguson was sold to Newcastle United for a fee of £8 million in November 1998.{{cite news |title=Ferguson completes Newcastle move |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/221755.stm |work=BBC News |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=25 November 1998 |access-date=2 April 2012 }} The deal was done to sell Ferguson by the Everton chairman, Peter Johnson, without the knowledge of Walter Smith. Ferguson wrote a two-page goodbye letter in the club magazine to fans, stating his sadness at leaving and that he would never forget them.{{cite news |title=Smith knew nothing about Ferguson move |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/224900.stm |work=BBC News |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=30 November 1998 |access-date=2 April 2012 }}

After bringing Ferguson to Newcastle, manager Ruud Gullit was rewarded when Ferguson scored twice on his debut against Wimbledon in the Premier League. The final result was a 3–1 victory to Newcastle. At the start of 1999, Ferguson suffered a hernia injury, meaning that he played only seven times in the 1998–99 season. He made his comeback on 11 April, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 extra-time FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham Hotspur,{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Phil |title=Football: Shearer strikes to deny Spurs |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-shearer-strikes-to-deny-spurs-1086734.html |access-date=27 January 2022 |date=11 April 1999}} and did the same in the 1999 FA Cup Final, which Newcastle lost to Manchester United.{{cite news |last1=Lea |first1=Greg |title=Where are they now? The last Newcastle United team to play in an FA Cup final |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-1999-fa-cup-18316163 |access-date=27 January 2022 |work=Evening Chronicle |date=30 May 2020}}

In 1999–2000, Ferguson scored in three rounds of the FA Cup as Newcastle beat Tottenham 6–1,{{cite news |title=Magpies steal the show |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_cup/575538.stm |access-date=27 January 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 December 1999}} Sheffield United 4–1{{cite news |title=Newcastle blunt Blades |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_cup/595515.stm |access-date=27 January 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2000}} and Tranmere Rovers 3–2,{{cite news |title=Magpies dash Rovers' double dreams |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_cup/649825.stm |access-date=27 January 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2000}} before a semi-final elimination by Chelsea. He scored six league goals, including two in a 5–0 home win over Southampton on 16 January 2000.{{cite news |title=Back in Tyne: Five splendid wins against Southampton |url=https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/features/back-in-tyne-five-splendid-wins-against-southampton/ |access-date=27 January 2022 |publisher=Newcastle United F.C. |date=27 August 2021}}

File:Duncan Ferguson.jpg

On 17 August 2000, Ferguson moved back to Everton for a fee of £3.75 million. The transfer had previously been close to collapse as he sought a £1 million "loyalty payment" from Newcastle for not personally asking for a transfer; he had made the same amount of money from Everton when he transferred in 1998 on the same basis.{{cite news |title=Duncan's deadlock |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/880111.stm |access-date=21 December 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2000}}{{cite news |title=Ferguson signs for Everton |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/884163.stm |access-date=21 December 2019 |date=17 August 2000}} Two days after signing, he played his first game in a 2–0 loss at Leeds United, coming on for Stephen Hughes after 56 minutes.{{cite news |title=Smith sparks Leeds flier |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/885983.stm |access-date=21 December 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 August 2000}} On 23 August, on his return to Goodison Park, he scored twice in a 3–0 win over Charlton Athletic after coming on for Mark Hughes in the 67th minute.{{cite news |title=Gazza and Ferguson end Charlton fight |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/893458.stm |access-date=21 December 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 August 2000}}

On 1 April 2002, Ferguson was sent off after 20 minutes for elbowing Bolton Wanderers' Kostas Konstantinidis in an off-the-ball incident in a 3–1 win for a struggling Everton side.{{cite news |title=Everton leave Bolton struggling |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1900942.stm |access-date=21 December 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 April 2002}}

In August 2003, Jamie Jackson of The Guardian called Ferguson "arguably the biggest waste of money of all", citing his high transfer fees and wages compared to his injury record and age. By that point, he had scored 12 times in 41 games in three years at Everton, while earning over £5 million in salary. His 192 minutes of play in 2002–03 as a goalless substitute cost the club £9,000 per minute.{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Jamie |title=What a waste of money |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/aug/17/sport.comment5 |access-date=21 December 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=17 August 2003}}

Ferguson was accused of racial abuse by Fulham's Luís Boa Morte after an FA Cup fourth round match in January 2004. The accusation was dismissed by the Football Association, who found insufficient evidence.{{cite news |last1=Nisbet |first1=John |title=FA dismisses Ferguson racial abuse allegations |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fa-dismisses-ferguson-racial-abuse-allegations-568385.html |access-date=19 September 2019 |work=The Independent |date=1 April 2004}} On 28 December that year, Ferguson came on for Marcus Bent in the 74th minute of Everton's 2–0 loss at Charlton, and within ten minutes he was sent off for an elbow on Hermann Hreiðarsson.{{cite news |title=Charlton 2-0 Everton |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4107825.stm |access-date=21 December 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 December 2004}}

During the 2005–06 season, Ferguson was sent off against Wigan Athletic for violent conduct. His confrontation with Paul Scharner and subsequent fracas with Pascal Chimbonda resulted in a seven-match ban and his eighth Premier League red card, equalling Patrick Vieira's record. On 7 May 2006, against West Bromwich Albion at Goodison Park, Ferguson was named captain in the game that marked the end of his Everton career. His 90th-minute penalty kick was saved by Tomasz Kuszczak, but he subsequently scored from the rebound, netting his final goal for the club. Ferguson was not given a new Everton deal and retired, moving his family to Mallorca and spurning advances from a number of clubs.{{cite web | title = Review of the Year 2006 | work = Article on Evertonfc.com | url = http://www.evertonfc.com/match/review-of-the-year-may-2006.html | access-date = 11 January 2007 | archive-date = 28 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140228120902/http://www.evertonfc.com/match/review-of-the-year-may-2006.html | url-status = dead }}

Ferguson played for Everton in a testimonial match in his honour on 2 August 2015 against Villarreal.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/02/wayne-rooney-everton-duncan-ferguson-testimonial |title=Wayne Rooney makes his Everton return in Duncan Ferguson testimonial |first=Niall |last=McVeigh |date=2 August 2015 |access-date=3 August 2015 |work=The Guardian }}

Ferguson made his first full international appearance for Scotland on 17 May 1992, in a 1–0 win over the United States in Denver. He was selected for UEFA Euro 1992 in Sweden, making one substitute appearance against reigning champions the Netherlands on 12 June. He withdrew from UEFA Euro 1996 in England due to surgery on a recurring hernia.{{cite news |title=Third hernia operation for Everton's Ferguson |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/third-hernia-operation-for-everton-s-ferguson-1346409.html |access-date=27 January 2022 |work=The Independent |date=8 May 1996}} He made seven Scotland appearances in all, with his last appearance coming in February 1997.{{SFA Profile|id=7076}}[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-scots-open-door-to-reluctant-ferguson-1084896.html Football: Scots open door to reluctant Ferguson], The Independent, 3 April 1999[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/mar/19/newsstory.sport1 Silent hero enjoying life], The Guardian, 19 March 2000

Ferguson refused international selection after 1997, partly in protest against his treatment by the SFA after his conviction for assault on John McStay and in particular the imposition of a 12-game ban on top of his three-month prison sentence.[http://www.toffeeweb.com/players/past/Ferguson.asp Ferguson] in ToffeeWeb {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207074405/http://www.toffeeweb.com/players/past/Ferguson.asp |date=7 February 2009 }} Ferguson believed that second punishment violated the principle of double jeopardy. Speaking in February 2023, Ferguson said that not playing more for Scotland was the "biggest regret in my career". He also revealed that Scotland managers had repeatedly asked him to come out of retirement, with the last request coming from Walter Smith in 2005. Ferguson blamed his own "pig-headedness" for not accepting those invitations.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64570643 |title=Duncan Ferguson: Boycotting Scotland was 'my biggest football regret' |website=BBC Sport |date=8 February 2023 |accessdate=8 February 2023}}

File:Duncan_Ferguson_2013.jpg in 2013]]

Having spent five years in Mallorca following his retirement from playing, Ferguson contacted his former manager at Everton, David Moyes. Ferguson asked if he could work with the Everton academy students at Finch Farm.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/8835107/Duncan-Ferguson-returns-to-Everton-to-coach-youth-team.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/8835107/Duncan-Ferguson-returns-to-Everton-to-coach-youth-team.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Duncan Ferguson returns to Everton to coach youth team|website=Telegraph.co.uk|date=19 October 2011 |access-date=31 October 2021}}{{cbignore}}

Initially Ferguson was a voluntary worker at the academy, working for Alan Irvine, a former mentor of his from his playing career.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/oct/18/duncan-ferguson-everton-youth-coach?newsfeed=true|title=Duncan Ferguson makes unlikely return to Everton as youth coach|date=18 October 2011|work=Guardian|access-date=18 October 2011|location=London|first=Andy|last=Hunter}} Although Ferguson remains disappointed with the Scottish FA for what he sees as a lack of support following his sentencing in 1995,{{cite web|title=Duncan Ferguson ends feud by joining SFA coaching course|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/duncan-ferguson-ends-feud-by-joining-sfa-coaching-course-1-1667791|publisher=Scotsman|access-date=14 May 2013|date=1 June 2011}} he enrolled on a nine-day Scottish FA organised coaching course in Largs, Scotland to earn a UEFA B-Licence.{{cite web|last=Swan|first=Craig|title=Paul Hartley: Joining SFA coaching course felt like I was just starting out in the game|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/paul-hartley-joining-sfa-coaching-1104774|publisher=Daily Record|access-date=14 May 2013|date=6 June 2011}} In May 2012, he returned to Largs to achieve a UEFA A licence and in January 2013 he enrolled on a further course for the UEFA Pro Licence. In February 2014 Ferguson was promoted to the first-team coaching staff at Everton. His first game in the role was a home game against West Ham United on 1 March 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.teamtalk.com/|title=TEAMtalk | Latest Football News, Results and Fixtures|website=Teamtalk.com|access-date=31 October 2021}}{{cite web|title=Latapy goes for UEFA coaching license|url=http://www.guardian.co.tt/sport/2013-01-05/latapy-goes-uefa-coaching-license|publisher=Guardian.co.tt|access-date=14 May 2013|date=6 January 2013}}

Following the dismissal of manager Marco Silva on 5 December 2019, Ferguson was named as caretaker manager of Everton.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47195701|title=Everton sack Marco Silva as manager after 18 months in charge|website=BBC Sport|date=6 December 2019}} In his first game in charge two days later, Everton beat Chelsea 3–1 to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50611310|title=Everton 3–1 Chelsea|website=BBC Sport|date=7 December 2019}} Following the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as the new manager later that month, Ferguson was made assistant manager, a role he retained under Rafael Benítez who joined the club following Ancelotti's departure to Real Madrid in June 2021.[https://metro.co.uk/2021/06/06/everton-legend-duncan-ferguson-rejects-offer-to-join-real-madrid-14725659/ "Duncan Ferguson rejects offer to join Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid as he wants Everton job"] – Metro, 6 June 2021

On 18 January 2022, Ferguson was again appointed caretaker manager following the sacking of Benítez.{{cite news |last1=Hunter |first1=Andy |title=Duncan Ferguson appointed as Everton caretaker manager for upcoming games |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jan/18/everton-appoint-duncan-ferguson-caretaker-manager-for-upcoming-games |access-date=27 January 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=18 January 2022}} He oversaw one game as caretaker, a 1–0 home loss to Aston Villa, before Frank Lampard was appointed as the new manager.{{cite news |last1=Preece |first1=Ashley |title='Wanted a war' - Steven Gerrard's message to Everton and Duncan Ferguson after Aston Villa victory |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-gerrard-everton-buendia-22841206 |access-date=27 January 2022 |work=Birmingham Mail |date=22 January 2022}} Ferguson remained at the club for the rest of the season as a first-team coach, before announcing his departure from the club in July 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2667451/ferguson-leaves-everton|title=Ferguson Leaves Everton|website=www.evertonfc.com}}

On 26 January 2023, Ferguson was appointed head coach of League One side Forest Green Rovers, his first managerial role of his career. {{cite web|url=https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/duncan-ferguson-appointed-fgr-head-coach|title=Duncan Ferguson appointed FGR Head Coach|website=www.fgr.co.uk|date=26 January 2023|accessdate=26 January 2023}}

Upon his appointment, Ferguson stated; "I'm really delighted to join FGR for the next step of my career, and I plan to be here for a while. We have a bit of a fight on our hands to stay up in League One and I am ready for the challenge."{{Cite web |title=Duncan Ferguson appointed FGR Head Coach |url=https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/duncan-ferguson-appointed-fgr-head-coach |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=www.fgr.co.uk}} Dale Vince, Chairman of the club, commented: "We're all excited to welcome Duncan, he is someone I have admired from afar for a while. It's just fantastic to have the opportunity to work with him in this next phase of our journey toward the Championship." Ferguson did not win a game as manager until 26 March, when Forest Green beat second-placed Sheffield Wednesday 1–0.{{cite web | title=Forest Green Rovers 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday | website=BBC Sport | date=26 March 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65004807 | access-date=26 March 2023}} Forest Green were relegated to League Two on 15 April after a 5–1 home defeat to Barnsley. With four games remaining in the season, they became the first team in any EFL league to be relegated in the 2022–23 season.{{cite web | title=Forest Green's relegation hurts - Ferguson | website=BBC Sport | date=18 April 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65309540 | access-date=18 April 2023}} He left the club on 4 July 2023. {{cite web|url=https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/ferguson-departs-fgr|title=Ferguson Departs FGR|website=www.fgr.co.uk|date=4 July 2023|accessdate=4 July 2023}} During his 18 games in charge, Forest Green Rovers won once.{{cite web | last=O'Neill | first=Connor | title=Duncan Ferguson leaves Forest Green Rovers after less than a year in charge | website=Liverpool Echo | date=4 July 2023 | url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/breaking-duncan-ferguson-forest-green-27254428 | access-date=4 July 2023}}

Ferguson was appointed manager of Scottish Championship club Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 26 September 2023; at the time of his appointment, the club was bottom of the league.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66919037 |title=Duncan Ferguson: Inverness Caledonian Thistle chose former Scotland striker as manager |website=BBC Sport |date=26 September 2023 |accessdate=26 September 2023}}

Returning to Scottish football after an absence of 29 years, his first game as manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle was on 30 September, a 3–2 away win against Arbroath.{{cite web | title=Ferguson marks Scotland return with Inverness win | website=BBC Sport | date=30 September 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66899421 | access-date=2 October 2023}} The club were relegated after a 5–3 aggregate defeat to Hamilton Academical.{{cite web | title=Hamilton Academical win promotion and relegate Inverness CT | website=BBC Sport | date=18 May 2024 | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cq5nnjx5wrzt#:~:text=Hamilton%20Academical%20have%20sealed%20a,the%20Highlanders%20to%20League%201. | access-date=18 May 2024}} On 3 October 2024, Ferguson admitted to working with no salary to help the club through its financial crisis.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62m0vdxe4jo|title=Ferguson working for free to help save Caley Thistle|date=3 October 2024 |publisher=BBC News|accessdate=23 October 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11795/13227213/duncan-ferguson-inverness-caley-thistle-manager-working-for-free-to-help-save-club|title=Duncan Ferguson: Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager working for free to help save club|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=23 October 2024}} On 23 October 2024, he was sacked after the club was put into administration the previous day.{{cite web | title=Ferguson leaves Inverness CT after administration | website=BBC Sport | date=23 October 2024 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cew2lgpg242o | access-date=23 October 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://talksport.com/football/2192477/duncan-ferguson-sacked-inverness-administration/|title='It's brutal, isn't it?' – Duncan Ferguson speaks after being sacked as manager of Scottish club|date=23 October 2024 |publisher=Talksport|accessdate=23 October 2024}}

Ferguson's son Cameron is also a professional footballer who plays for Connah's Quay Nomads.{{cite news |url=https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/striker-made-redundant-at-inverness-caledonian-thistle-signs-373520/ |title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle former striker Cameron Ferguson has signed for Connah's Quay Nomads in Wales |newspaper=Inverness Courier |date=3 February 2025 |accessdate=3 February 2025 |first=Clark |last=Will}} He has represented Scotland at Youth level.

In 2001, two burglars broke into Ferguson's home in Rufford, Lancashire. Ferguson confronted them and was able to detain one of them,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=tommi8cplYRcdO0_&t=2968&v=pYkHcex1cL0&feature=youtu.be |title=Duncan Ferguson: Red Cards, Bust Ups & Goodison Park Memories {{!}} Stick to Football 79 |date=2025-04-17 |last=The Overlap |access-date=2025-04-17 |via=YouTube}} who subsequently spent three days in hospital.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/2660021.stm | work=BBC News | title=Ferguson in burglar assault probe | date=15 January 2003 | access-date=1 May 2010}} The second man managed to flee but was eventually caught. Both men were sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment for their actions.

In January 2003, Ferguson caught another burglar at his home in Formby, Merseyside; the burglar attacked Ferguson, who retaliated. The burglar was hospitalised and later alleged that Ferguson had assaulted him, but this was dismissed by police.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2748887.stm |title=Jail for Ferguson's bruised burglar |newspaper=BBC |date= 13 February 2003 |access-date= 25 February 2016}}

Ferguson has had four convictions for assault – two arising from taxi rank scuffles,{{cite web|url=http://www.nufc.com/html/sundaytimes_ferguson.html|title=Deadly Duncan Delivers|first=Douglas|last=Alexander|publisher=The Sunday Times|date=22 February 2000|via=NUFC.com}} one an altercation with a fisherman in an Anstruther pub, and one for his on-field headbutt on Raith Rovers defender John McStay in 1994 while playing for Rangers, which resulted in a rare conviction for an on-field incident.

The first incident led to a £100 fine for headbutting a policeman and a £25 fine for a breach of the peace,Duncan Cowan Ferguson v Andrew Christie Normand (Procurator Fiscal, Glasgow) 1995 S.C.C.R. 770 while the second resulted in a £200 fine for punching and kicking a supporter on crutches. He was sentenced to a year's probation for the third offence.[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-trials-of-the-pounds-4m-man-james-traynor-looks-at-the-troubled-life-and-career-of-rangers-record-signing-1512724.html "Football: Trials of the pounds 4m man: James Traynor looks at the troubled life and career of Rangers' record signing"], The Independent, 24 October 1993 For the 1994 on-the-field headbutting, he received and served a three-month jail term for assault.{{cite news|last1=Pattullo|first1=Alan|title=Duncan Ferguson: Glasgow kiss that lingered|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/duncan-ferguson-glasgow-kiss-that-lingered-1-3374849#axzz3qwjuh0D5|access-date=9 November 2015|work=The Scotsman|date=13 April 2014|location=Edinburgh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415194729/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/duncan-ferguson-glasgow-kiss-that-lingered-1-3374849#axzz3qwjuh0D5|archive-date=15 April 2014}} Ferguson's troubles with the law and his imprisonment inspired Finnish composer Osmo Tapio Räihälä to write a symphonic poem as a "musical portrait" of Ferguson, titled Barlinnie Nine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/pictures/more-pictures/football-mad-musicians-musics-obsession-beautiful/duncan-ferguson/|title=Osmo Tapio Räihälä|website=Classicfm.com|access-date=31 October 2021}}

In 2009, Ferguson pledged his support to the "Keep Everton in Our City" campaign, saying:

{{cquote|During my time at Everton, Goodison Park came to feel like a second home, with the supporters of the club, and the people of the city becoming a second family to me. If you were to take Everton out of the city, I firmly believe the club could no longer call itself the "People's Club" and I give my whole-hearted support to the campaign to keep Everton in the city.{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/sport/2007/04/05/ex-everton-icon-backs-battle-to-keep-club-in-city-64375-18861853/|title=Ex-Everton icon backs battle to keep club in city|date=5 April 2007|publisher=Liverpool Daily Post|access-date=2009-02-09}}}}

{{noteslist}}

{{updated|match played 19 October 2024}}

Dundee United

• Scottish Cup runner-up: 1990–91{{cite news|url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_cup_fixture_details.cfm?page=1283&matchID=752|title=Scottish Cup Final Archive: Dundee United v Motherwell 3-4 |publisher=Scottish Football Association}}

Rangers

• Scottish Premier Division: 1993–94{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/scot94.html|title=Scotland 1993/94|website=Rsssf.com|access-date=31 October 2021}}
• Scottish Cup runner-up: 1993–94[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-scottish-cup-golacs-day-of-glory-1437591.html Football / Scottish Cup: Golac's day of glory], The Independent, 22 May 1994

Everton

• FA Cup: 1994–95{{citation|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/limpars-three-steps-to-heaven-1620671.html|title=Limpars Three Steps to Heaven|date=21 May 1995 |access-date=24 July 2016}}

Newcastle United

• FA Cup runner-up: 1998–99[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_cup/350192.stm Double joy for Man United], BBC News, 22 May 1999

Individual

• Premier League Player of the Month: February 1995{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/877/Duncan-Ferguson/overview |title=Duncan Ferguson: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=2 January 2020}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{ESPN FC}}
• {{Soccerbase}}
• {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231043746/http://www.toffeeweb.com/players/past/Ferguson.asp |date=31 December 2006 |title=Duncan Ferguson at ToffeeWeb}}
• {{IMDb name}}

{{Scotland squad UEFA Euro 1992}}

{{Gwladys Street's Hall of Fame}}

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