Duncan Ferguson is set to be rewarded with a new long-term contract as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant with Everton keen to recognise his role in leading the club out of trouble. The owner Farhad Moshiri, the chairman Bill Kenwright and Ancelotti, the new manager, have all referenced Ferguson’s impact a
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Everton to reward Duncan Ferguson with long-term contract
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Paul Joyce, Northern Football Correspondent
January 2 2020, 5:00pm, The Times
Ferguson was unbeaten during his three games in caretaker charge following the sacking of Silva
Duncan Ferguson is set to be rewarded with a new long-term contract as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant with Everton keen to recognise his role in leading the club out of trouble.
The owner Farhad Moshiri, the chairman Bill Kenwright and Ancelotti, the new manager, have all referenced Ferguson’s impact as caretaker manager in the aftermath of Marco Silva’s sacking when he guided Everton out of the relegation zone.
Ferguson was unbeaten in his three Premier League games in charge, taking five points from a possible nine, and saw his side lose on penalties to Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.
He did much to repair the disconnect between the supporters and the Goodison Park club, while imbuing a bedraggled bunch of players with renewed confidence and raising standards.
Ancelotti said he will meet with the club’s board of directors after Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Liverpool to discuss his initial thoughts on Everton with the trip to Anfield bringing an end a run of four matches in the Italian’s first fortnight on Merseyside.
Potential transfer targets will be discussed and Ferguson’s future is also expected to be raised with Ancelotti having publicly praised the 48-year-old Scot, saying: “I was surprised by the spirit of the team. I think the work that Duncan did was really good because he increased the spirit of the team and so I found players with character and with a good attitude.”
Ferguson was by Ancelotti’s side for Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester City, Everton’s first defeat in the league since Silva was sacked on December 5.
The former striker had two spells as a player at Everton and returned to the club in 2011 to begin his coaching career, initially volunteering to work at the academy unpaid for two years before being handed a role with the under-18s.
He has since been part of the first-team set-ups under former managers Roberto Martinez, Ronald Koeman, Sam Allardyce and Silva.