Duncan Ferguson has been appointed manager of Irish Premiership side Glentoran.

The former Scotland forward has signed a multi-year contract at the Belfast club in his return to management after leaving Inverness Caledonian Thistle in October 2024. That was his second permanent managerial role, following a six-month spell at Forest Green Rovers.

He previously worked as assistant to Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez at Everton – where he was a fan favourite as a player – and had caretaker spells in the Goodison Park dugout in 2019 and 2022.

Glentoran, who have not won the title since 2009, parted company with David Devine last month following a poor start to the season and now sit third having since enjoyed an upturn in form. 

Owner Ali Pour and sporting director Paul Millar have appointed the 54-year-old after conducting four weeks of interviews with candidates from within the league and beyond.

'I am delighted to become manager of Glentoran,' said Ferguson. 'This is a big club with a tremendous history, and it is a great opportunity for me. I understand the responsibility that comes with the job.

'I want to win trophies here. Glentoran should be challenging for the title and every cup and shield we enter. I know that success here will be judged on what we win.

'The more I spoke with Ali and Paul, the more I wanted the job. Their ambition matches my own, and I am looking forward to getting onto the training pitch, working with the players and seeing what we can achieve together.'

Gary Bollan, Ferguson's former Dundee United team-mate and his assistant at Inverness, will come in again as his No2.

Ferguson added: 'I want us to play with confidence, get forward and give the supporters football they enjoy watching. I am thorough in my preparation and expect a lot from my players. 

'It will take time to put my ideas into practice, but I will be clear from day one about how I want us to play and what I expect.

'I have signed for the long term and will be living in Belfast. I want to get to know the people at the club and in the wider community and become part of life here. That is important to me.'

Pour said: 'The first time I met him, I knew he was the man for the job straight away. I just felt Duncan would fit in really well. We’re very similar in thinking.  

'He likes to bring the young players through. So I think going forward, we’ll see a lot more of that happening.'