Former Forest Green Rovers manager Duncan Ferguson has been appointed manager of Irish League club Glentoran, returning to first-team management after his spell with Inverness Caledonian Thistle ended in 2024.
The 54-year-old will take charge at Glentoran’s BetMcLean Oval on a multi-year contract. The Belfast club announced the appointment on October 19, 2026, describing Ferguson as bringing extensive Premier League playing and coaching experience to the role.
Ferguson’s difficult spell at Forest Green
Ferguson took his first full-time managerial position in January 2023, when he was appointed head coach of Forest Green Rovers. He signed a five-year contract after arriving at The New Lawn, with the club bottom of League One following Ian Burchnall’s departure.
Forest Green had won promotion to the third tier the previous season, but Ferguson inherited the immediate task of trying to preserve their League One status. At the time, he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire he was “not scared of a challenge” and believed the team could climb the table.
The results did not improve sufficiently. Forest Green’s relegation to League Two was confirmed in April 2023 after a 5-1 defeat against Barnsley. The club became the first English Football League side to be relegated that season.
Ferguson’s record at Forest Green was one win, three draws and 14 defeats from 18 matches in charge. He said the disappointment would “hurt for some time” as Rovers prepared to return to the fourth tier.
Move to Scotland followed
After leaving Forest Green, Ferguson moved to Scotland and took charge of Inverness Caledonian Thistle in September 2023. His time at the club ended in October 2024 after Inverness entered administration.
His appointment at Glentoran gives him a new opportunity to manage in the Irish League. The club said the former Premier League player and coach had worked alongside Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benítez at Everton before taking on his own senior management roles.
For Forest Green supporters, Ferguson’s new job is likely to bring back memories of a short and challenging period in the club’s recent history, when Rovers were unable to maintain their place in League One after their promotion campaign.