---
title: "Duncan Ferguson makes emphatic Everton claim over Dominic Calvert-Lewin exit"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/duncan-ferguson-everton-dominic-calvert-lewin-exit/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2026-10-20T08:30:42Z"
modified: "2026-10-20T08:30:42Z"
---

# Duncan Ferguson makes emphatic Everton claim over Dominic Calvert-Lewin exit

**Duncan Ferguson believes** [**Everton**](https://readeverton.com/) **should never have allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to leave the club, insisting he would have gone to considerable lengths to keep the striker at the club.**

Ferguson, who was confirmed as the new manager of Glentoran on a multi-year contract on Monday, remains closely associated with Everton after two spells as a player and more than a decade on the club’s coaching staff.

Calvert-Lewin ended his nine-year stay with Everton when his contract expired in the summer of 2025 before joining Leeds United on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old has since rediscovered his goalscoring touch at Elland Road and underlined his improved form with the equaliser in Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw against Manchester United. He has scored five times in all competitions this season.

Ferguson, who worked closely with Calvert-Lewin during his time on Everton’s coaching staff, remains adamant that his former club should have found a way to keep him.

Speaking on The Overlap Daily, Ferguson said: “They should’ve never let Dominic go.

“I’ve coached Dominic from a young man; I’ve put him in my team. He scored his first two ever in the same game against Chelsea; I put him up front.

“He’s a great player. They should never have let him go, ever.”

## Ferguson makes £200,000-a-week point

Ferguson acknowledged that he did not know the details of the negotiations which preceded Calvert-Lewin’s departure, but made his feelings clear about how highly he rated the striker.

“You should never have let him go,” he added. “But obviously I don’t know what’s happened behind the scenes. If he wanted £200,000 a week, give him £200,000 a week. If he wanted £100,000 a week, give it to him.”

The figures were hypothetical rather than a claim about what Calvert-Lewin actually requested, but Ferguson’s wider point was unequivocal.

His comments also have added relevance given Everton’s current options. Thierno Barry is David Moyes’ only recognised senior centre-forward following Beto’s departure, with the Frenchman scoring three times in Everton’s opening seven Premier League matches.

Calvert-Lewin’s exit can inevitably be viewed differently with the benefit of hindsight, particularly given his subsequent form at Leeds. Ferguson, now beginning the latest chapter of his own career with Glentoran, appears to have had few doubts about the qualities Everton were losing.

***For all the latest Everton news, opinion and transfer updates, visit our [Everton news page](https://readeverton.com/news/).***