Former Everton and Rangers striker Duncan Ferguson has sensationally been named as the new manager of Irish Premiership club Glentoran.

The 54-year-old, who also played for Dundee United and Newcastle United and won seven caps for Scotland, will take up the reins at the east Belfast club on what the club say is a “multi-year contract”.

Ferguson’s coaching career to date includes being assistant manager at Everton under renowned managers Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez, and also two spells as caretaker boss.

In recent years, he has managed Forest Green Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Ferguson’s surprise appointment follows the departure of Declan Devine as manager of the Irish League outfit in September.

His former Dundee United team-mate Gary Bollan, with whom he worked at Inverness, has been named as assistant manager.

Glentoran have not won a league title since 2009 despite significant investment from owner Ali Pour and the adoption of a full-time professional model in recent years.

“I am delighted to become manager of Glentoran,” said Ferguson, whose first game as boss will be at home to Ballymena United on Saturday (15:00 BST).

“This is a big club with a tremendous history, and it is a great opportunity for me. I understand the responsibility that comes with the job.

“I want to win trophies here. Glentoran should be challenging for the title and every cup and shield we enter. I know that success here will be judged on what we win.

“The more I spoke with Ali and Paul [Millar, sporting director], the more I wanted the job. Their ambition matches my own, and I am looking forward to getting onto the training pitch, working with the players and seeing what we can achieve together.”

Ferguson, who also worked under Roberto Martinez and Ronald Koeman at Everton, added that he has “signed for the long term”.

“I want to get to know the people at the Club and in the wider community and become part of life here. That is important to me,” he said.

“I have heard so much about the Glentoran supporters and what this Club means to them. We have a responsibility to win games and make them proud. Their support has to be earned, and I am looking forward to getting started.”

Glens owner Pour said Ferguson’s appointment reflects the club’s “ambition to win trophies”.

“We took the time this decision deserved. We conducted a rigorous recruitment process, interviewing candidates from across the United Kingdom, Ireland and Scandinavia,” added Pour.

“We carefully assessed their experience and proposals and completed our due diligence before making the appointment.

“Paul and I met Duncan on several occasions in Liverpool. Those conversations gave us the opportunity to explore his approach to management, discuss the demands of the role and understand what he could contribute to Glentoran.

“His football knowledge, experience and determination to take on this opportunity impressed us. Duncan demonstrated the qualities we were looking for in coaching, leadership, player development and recruitment, supported by strong relationships across the game.”

Former Glentoran captain Paul Leeman, who played 597 games for the club, is excited at the prospect of Ferguson in the Oval dugout.

“I still can’t believe it – it’s a huge appointment and I’m interested to see his plans for Glentoran,” Leeman told BBC Radio Ulster.

“It is a risk and he’s been known more as a number two. But he has bags of experience in football. He’s worked at the top, top level and there’s certainly something he can add to the team.

“He doesn’t know the league so I think he has to have people around him who do.

“He’s coming to the Irish League to probably try to resurrect his own managerial career. He will demand respect from the players straight away and it’s certainly going to be interesting.”

The Glens had been linked with a move to appoint former Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton, but the ex-Ipswich Town and Queens Park Rangers boss opted to remain with their Irish Premiership rivals Cliftonville.

Devine left by mutual consent after two and a half years at the helm.

The former Derry City and Bohemians boss guided the club to a County Antrim Shield success in the 2024-25 season, their first trophy triumph since lifting the Irish Cup in 2020.

Ferguson is now tasked with ending the long drought since the Glens’ last league victory 17 years ago.

Glentoran sit third in the Irish Premiership standings, having won six and lost four of their first 12 league outings this season.