LONDON – Darren Ferguson, son of Manchester United manager Sir Alex, was sacked as boss of bottom of the English Championship Preston North End on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s 3-1 loss at home to Middlesbrough left north-west club Preston five points from safety at the foot of English football’s second division and a statement issued by the club on Wednesday ended Ferguson’s time at Deepdale after just under a year in charge. “At a board meeting held today (Wednesday) the directors of Preston North Engd decided to terminate the position of Darren Ferguson as manager,” the statement said.
“The club expressed their appreciation of the efforts made by Darren but felt that the league position represented a significant threat to the club and it was felt that a change of manager might bring better fortune.” Ferguson, 38, presided over a mere 13 wins in 49 games in all competitions during his time at Preston and his departure means he has now been sacked twice in his relatively short managerial career.
He was dismissed as manager of Peterborough in November 2009 despite guiding the Midlands club to two successive promotions from League Two into the Championship, the division below England’s top-flight Premier League. Meanwhile Brian Laws was also sacked as manager of second-tier Burnley, divisional and local rivals of Preston, on Wednesday following the Clarets’ 2-0 loss at home to Scunthorpe on Tuesday. Burnley were relegated from the Premier League last season and are currently two points off a playoff place. “I have telephoned Brian today (Wednesday) and have asked him to step down as manager of Burnley Football Club,” chairman Barry Kilby told the club’s official website on Wednesday.
