Is 'Fergie time' really over at Peterborough ?

Darren Ferguson holds the Vertu Trophy aloft following Peterborough's win at Wembley in April

Managers taking charge of a club on more than one occasion is not that unusual.

However, those who have done so four times at the same club, like Darren Ferguson, is a much shorter list of names.

Jupp Heynckes and Fatih Terim were 'four-peaters' with Bayern Munich and Galatasaray, and in English football so too John Sheridan (Oldham Athletic), while Martin Allen has been Barnet boss five times, albeit once on an interim basis.

Ferguson's latest run as Peterborough boss came to an end on Saturday following a 2-1 home defeat by Blackpool which left his team bottom of League One.

Speaking following the game, but before news of Ferguson's sacking broke, former Posh captain Gabriel Zakuani told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire that the Scot had set the "blueprint" for everything at the club.

He added: "It's a totally different scenario to most managers in England - Peterborough United doesn't really work without Darren Ferguson, and that's been a theme going on for nearly 20 years."

Just a few minutes later, chairman Darragh MacAnthony's decision to sack Ferguson was made public via a statement in which he described him as a "legend" and "the greatest manager in the club's history".

So is 'Fergie time' really over at the Weston Homes Stadium?

'I have no regrets'

Darren Ferguson was only 34 when he first became Peterborough boss in 2007

Ferguson's list of achievements from almost 680 games in charge of Posh is undeniably impressive - his own managerial career having been forged in the shadow of his father Sir Alex, one of the greatest British football bosses of all time.

He was League One manager of the year in 2009, EFL manager of the year in 2017 during his time at Doncaster Rovers, and has been named divisional manager of the month nine times.

In a statement released on Sunday, via the League Managers' Association, Ferguson said: "Thank you Peterborough United for the fantastic memories!

"Four promotions, one relegation, three play-off semi-finals, one resignation, three wins at Wembley and three sackings - it's been a journey and I have no regrets.

"I would like to thank the fans, the players and the staff who have been a superb support to me during my role as manager.

"Huge appreciation goes to the chairman, Darragh MacAnthony; we achieved a hell of a lot together, not all plain sailing but in football, nothing ever is.

"I wish the club all the very best for the future and I will always think of Peterborough United as my club."

Ferguson was followed out of the exit door on Monday by his assistant Kieran Scarff and first-team coach Kevin Russell.

Posh pursue selling model

England's Ivan Toney played for Peterborough during Ferguson's third spell as manager

Throughout his four spells at Peterborough, the club have followed a model of looking to recruit promising players, polish their skills and then sell them on for a significant profit - while at the same time pursuing success on the field.

Prolific scorers like Aaron McLean, Craig Mackail-Smith, Britt Assombalonga, Jonson Clarke-Harris and more recently Ivan Toney have all worn the blue shirt with notable success.

Over the last two seasons, though, the impact of so many outgoings and incomings and a more direct, physical style used by several other League One teams, has made it tough for Ferguson to find the right blend and achieve a consistent level of performance.

Of the 14 players involved in the 2024 EFL Trophy final win over Wycombe Wanderers, only Archie Collins remains at the club.

At the end of that season, Ferguson lost most of his first-choice defence with Jason Knight, Ronnie Edwards and Harrison Burrows all leaving, along with forward Ephron Mason-Clark.

Although Posh struggled in the league last season, eventually finishing 18th having reached the play-offs in the two previous campaigns, he was still able to put together a side capable of upsetting Birmingham City at Wembley.

It was the same story in the summer though as key players like Hector Kyprianou, Kwame Poku, Ricky-Jade Jones, Malik Mothersille all moved on, while more than a dozen new faces arrived.

After a poor start to the current season, Ferguson admitted to Look East last month: "As a manager, you lose confidence as well. You're a human being just like the players and you doubt yourself, but you've got to quickly get over that."

Avoiding relegation main job for next in line

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony wants to see wins, but also exciting football from the team

Peterborough can ill-afford a drop into League Two for the first time, which is where they were when Ferguson was first appointed almost 18 years ago.

Whoever comes next, though, may not find it straightforward introducing their own principles at a club imbued with his influence over so many years.

"He's been fantastic for the club, he's had four stints, he brought great times to Peterborough - the problem with football is it's a results-based industry," former Scotland international Mackail-Smith told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"At this moment in time, where the club is, it's not in great form and the chairman has decided it's time to look for someone new.

"The club's transfer policy for the last 20 years has been amazing but sometimes for a season or two, it isn't going to go quite right for you and that can have quite big ramifications within the season.

"It can't be all good, all the time - the recruitment might not have been the best this season and that's maybe something to be looked into."

Ferguson's four spells from 2007-09, 2011-15, 2019-22 and 2023-25 added up to 11 years at the helm and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire sport editor Peter Swan would not be surprised to see him return one day - but perhaps next time in a different role.

"You'd never completely rule out Darren returning for a fifth spell as manager, but right now that looks unlikely," he said.

"Darren has discussed stepping away from management and exploring other roles within the game, so one day he could be a good fit as Posh director of football.

"Certainly very few people have a similarly strong relationship with Posh owner Darragh MacAnthony."