26-10-2025, 09:57
Peterborough United have sacked manager Darren Ferguson with the team bottom of League One.
Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Blackpool proved to be the 53-year-old's final game in the Posh dugout in his fourth spell in charge of the club.
The Scot, son of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, has guided Peterborough to promotion on four occasions - and they also won the EFL Trophy in the last two seasons.
But they have only won three out of 13 games so far this season as they slumped to the bottom of the table.
Ferguson leaves with Posh five points adrift of Burton Albion, who are just outside the relegation zone, in 20th.
"I have made the decision to terminate Darren Ferguson's contract after today's game," chairman Darragh MacAnthony said in a statement., external
"The decision wasn't taken lightly but it's a decision I feel is the correct one for the football club.
"The gaffer is for me the greatest manager in the club's history who I will always consider to be part of my family and the club's family.
"There are too many wonderful moments to mention here but those many historical celebrated moments I will cherish and remember forever.
"From Monday onwards we start healing and moving forward.
"Goodbye legend and thank you!"
Ferguson returned to the club in January 2023 and took charge of 161 games, winning 73 and losing 56.
Posh finished 18th last season, having been in the play-offs in the two previous campaigns.
Six defeats in their opening seven league games set the tone for this campaign which Ferguson ultimately could not improve.
"We have had down moments, and it hasn't always gone to plan but he has managed this football club like it's his own," MacAnthony said.
"I am devastated he is no longer our manager and will miss the everyday chats we have regarding life and football.
"I wish him and his phenomenally supportive family nothing but love and respect and the best for the future.
"This season has been challenging on all fronts for our great football club. It's time to go again, freshen up and enter a new period of growth in all aspects on and off the pitch."
Although Ferguson's fourth spell in charge brought two Wembley wins, promotion to the Championship proved frustratingly elusive.
In 2022-23, Posh looked set to reach the play-off final after thumping Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 in the first leg of their semi-final.
However, the Owls pulled off the greatest comeback in play-off history to win through on a penalty shootout after winning the second leg 5-1.
They recovered from that setback to once again finish in the top six in 2023-24 but were again beaten by the team who eventually won the final as they lost 2-1 on aggregate to an Oxford side, who had finished seven points below them in the regular season.
A mixed start to last season followed but a 6-1 demolition of local rivals Cambridge United moved them to within three points of the play-off places.
That was as good as it got and they were at one stage in serious danger of dropping back down to the fourth tier for the first time since Ferguson took them up out of that division in 2007-08.
In the end, they finished five points clear of the drop zone but lost key players over the summer including Kwame Poku, Ricky-Jade Jones, Hector Kypriano and Mallik Mothersille.
Six defeats in their opening seven league games set the tone for this campaign which Ferguson ultimately could not improve.
Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Blackpool proved to be the 53-year-old's final game in the Posh dugout in his fourth spell in charge of the club.
The Scot, son of legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, has guided Peterborough to promotion on four occasions - and they also won the EFL Trophy in the last two seasons.
But they have only won three out of 13 games so far this season as they slumped to the bottom of the table.
Ferguson leaves with Posh five points adrift of Burton Albion, who are just outside the relegation zone, in 20th.
"I have made the decision to terminate Darren Ferguson's contract after today's game," chairman Darragh MacAnthony said in a statement., external
"The decision wasn't taken lightly but it's a decision I feel is the correct one for the football club.
"The gaffer is for me the greatest manager in the club's history who I will always consider to be part of my family and the club's family.
"There are too many wonderful moments to mention here but those many historical celebrated moments I will cherish and remember forever.
"From Monday onwards we start healing and moving forward.
"Goodbye legend and thank you!"
Ferguson returned to the club in January 2023 and took charge of 161 games, winning 73 and losing 56.
Posh finished 18th last season, having been in the play-offs in the two previous campaigns.
Six defeats in their opening seven league games set the tone for this campaign which Ferguson ultimately could not improve.
"We have had down moments, and it hasn't always gone to plan but he has managed this football club like it's his own," MacAnthony said.
"I am devastated he is no longer our manager and will miss the everyday chats we have regarding life and football.
"I wish him and his phenomenally supportive family nothing but love and respect and the best for the future.
"This season has been challenging on all fronts for our great football club. It's time to go again, freshen up and enter a new period of growth in all aspects on and off the pitch."
Although Ferguson's fourth spell in charge brought two Wembley wins, promotion to the Championship proved frustratingly elusive.
In 2022-23, Posh looked set to reach the play-off final after thumping Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 in the first leg of their semi-final.
However, the Owls pulled off the greatest comeback in play-off history to win through on a penalty shootout after winning the second leg 5-1.
They recovered from that setback to once again finish in the top six in 2023-24 but were again beaten by the team who eventually won the final as they lost 2-1 on aggregate to an Oxford side, who had finished seven points below them in the regular season.
A mixed start to last season followed but a 6-1 demolition of local rivals Cambridge United moved them to within three points of the play-off places.
That was as good as it got and they were at one stage in serious danger of dropping back down to the fourth tier for the first time since Ferguson took them up out of that division in 2007-08.
In the end, they finished five points clear of the drop zone but lost key players over the summer including Kwame Poku, Ricky-Jade Jones, Hector Kypriano and Mallik Mothersille.
Six defeats in their opening seven league games set the tone for this campaign which Ferguson ultimately could not improve.
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?