EVERTON legend Duncan Ferguson has become Forest Green manager - despite interest from his old side.
The Toffees sacked Frank Lampard after a dismal run of results that leaves them second from bottom.
And Ferguson is among the names the Everton board have considered bringing in to replace Lampard.
But the no-nonsense Scot is instead heading to League One, following the dugout departure of Ian Burchnall.
Burchnall was sacked after Forest Green picked up just five wins in 28 games.
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Club chairman Dale Vince said: "I’m grateful to Ian for all his hard work this season, it’s definitely not been easy.
"Our first season in League One was always going to be a challenge in itself but it’s been made more difficult by a number of factors, with their roots in last summer.
"I believe in Ian as a coach, but circumstances have led us to this place, we’ve recruited strongly in the January window, player wise - now we need to recruit a new head coach - to give ourselves the best chance or staying in this league."
Ferguson would arrive with managerial experience, having twice taken over at Everton in a caretaker role.
He replaced Marco Silva in an interim role in 2019, before Carlo Ancelotti was appointed.
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Ferguson then reverted to assistant manager under Ancelotti and later Rafa Benitez.
And when Benitez was sacked in January 2022, the ex-striker had one game in charge before Lampard was hired.
But Chelsea's all-time top scorer lasted just one year in Merseyside, with Everton again looking for a new boss.
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Ex-Leeds gaffer Marcelo Bielsa leads the race in front of Sean Dyche, still out of work having been sacked by Burnley.
Ferguson was placed in the running until Forest Green secured his signature first.
