Darren Ferguson sacked by struggling Peterborough after defeat to Blackpool

Peterborough have sacked manager Darren Ferguson following the 2-1 home defeat by fellow strugglers Blackpool, which left them bottom of Sky Bet League One.

Blackpool – with new head coach Ian Evatt at the helm after he replaced Steve Bruce, who was sacked earlier in October – took the lead when a saved Josh Bowler shot hit the unlucky Peter Kioso and went in after 35 minutes.

Posh levelled when Matt Garbett fired home from outside the box after a cleared corner fell kindly just before half-time, but the Seasiders won it with five minutes to go when Scott Banks curled home into the corner.

Speaking after the defeat, Ferguson had accepted “results are not good enough” but called for everyone to stick together.

However, chairman Darragh MacAnthony later confirmed he had reluctantly decided to dismiss Ferguson, who had been in his fourth spell at the club.

“I have made the decision to terminate Darren Ferguson’s contract after today’s game. The decision wasn’t taken lightly, but it’s a decision I feel is the correct one for the football club,” MacAnthony said in a club statement.

“The Gaffer is for me the greatest manager in the club’s history who I will always consider to be part of my family and the club’s family. There are too many wonderful moments to mention here, but those many historical celebrated moments I will cherish and remember forever.

“Yes, we have had down moments and it hasn’t always gone to plan, but he has managed this football club like it’s his own.

“I am devastated he is no longer our manager and will miss the everyday chats we have regarding life and football. I wish him and his phenomenally supportive family nothing but love and respect and the best for the future.”

MacAnthony added: “This season has been challenging on all fronts for our great football club. It’s time to go again, freshen up and enter a new period of growth in all aspects on and off the pitch.”

Evatt, meanwhile, believes his struggling side showed signs of what they can become.

“It has been a brilliant week,” he said. “This is one of my life ambitions to have this role.

“I love this club very dearly and to have this opportunity to improve and get up the table where I believe this club belongs is very special to me.

“We are down to the bones and it has been tough for us. The players have been brilliant, they have worked hard, and have been fully engaged and thrown themselves into it.

“It is intense and a whole new way of playing. Today wasn’t perfect, there were lots of things we can do better but there were also lots of things where you can see what type of team we want to be.

“We want to be more aggressive with the press and steal the ball high up the pitch and then have the chance to then create something off the back of it.

“That is the purpose of pressing, to score, and we want to be on the front foot.”