Forest Green Rovers have appointed former Everton assistant manager Duncan Ferguson as their new head coach.
Former striker Ferguson made 273 appearances for the Toffees and also had two spells as caretaker manager in 2019 and 2022.
“I plan to be here for a while”, Ferguson told the club’s website.
“We’re having a bit of a fight to stay in Ligue 1 and I’m up for the challenge.”
Former Everton team-mate Tony Grant will work alongside Ferguson as assistant head coach.
Forest Green are four points from safety and have won just five of their 28 games this season, having played more games than their relegation rivals.
They are winless in their last eight matches with their last victory on December 10.
As a player, Ferguson scored 73 goals for Everton in two spells from 1994 to 2006. He started his career at Dundee United and also played for Rangers and Newcastle United. He was also capped seven times by Scotland.
He joined the Everton coaching staff in 2014 and left last summer to take up his first management position.
“We are all delighted to welcome Duncan, he’s someone I’ve looked up to from afar for some time,” Forest Green chairman Dale Vince said.
“It’s just fantastic to have the opportunity to work with him on this next phase of our championship journey.”
Before Ferguson’s appointment was announced, Vince said the club were looking to name someone with “experience” as quickly as possible in the hope of bringing in “a few more players” during this January transfer window.
