Kevin Phillips has lauded Duncan Ferguson for being “pivotal” to Everton’s recent success, as reported by Football Insider.
The Scotsman took over from Marco Silva in an interim capacity after the Portuguese manager was relieved of his duties in December, winning five points against Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in his short stint in charge.
Following Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment, Ferguson returned to his position as assistant coach for the Toffees, alongside Carlo’s son Davide Ancelotti.
Since Silva was sacked as manager, Everton have only lost one game in the Premier League, against Manchester City at the Etihad on New Years’ Day.
Phillips, who won the Golden Boot for Sunderland in the 1999-2000 season, has credited Ferguson’s passion for helping the club turn around their fortunes over the past six weeks. Talking to Football Insider, Phillips said:
He’s pivotal to the success and I think every club needs someone in their ranks that has been there at the club for a long time, has got an affiliation, love for the club because you need them sort of people.
Duncan Ferguson did unbelievable when he took over for a short period, his passion for the club, you saw on the touchline, was just incredible so you need people like them.
Even in and around the club, I can imagine Duncan Ferguson going down to the academy and just talking to young players, he is an inspiration at that football club.
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Ferguson immediately captured the hearts of many during his first game in charge against Chelsea, wearing his heart on his sleeve and showing great passion as he led the club to victory. Since then, there has certainly been more belief in the quality of the playing squad from the fan base, so it certainly seems as though has had an impact both in the dressing room and on Merseyside.
Ancelotti currently represents the more technical and logical element of football, while Ferguson brings the passion and the emotion, and together they should work well together, in theory.
Everton have a rich history of keeping former players in and around the club, such as David Unsworth and Alan Stubbs in recent times, and more than anyone else, Ferguson appears as though he is relishing every single second he spends at Goodison Park, which I can only imagine must rub off onto the players.
Ferguson did surprisingly well in his short spell, and it will certainly be interesting to see what happens in the future, and whether he’ll end up being handed a permanent managerial role one day.
