Duncan Ferguson doesn’t just ‘get’ Everton – he’s quietly aiding the Carlo Ancelotti revolution

Identity, or the vague notion of ‘getting’ a club can often be overstated in football, but it was endearing to hear Carlo Ancelotti describe Duncan Ferguson as the “happiest man” at Everton following a first victory at Anfield in 22 years.

The 49-year-old spent much of the Toffees’ 2-0 win over Liverpool prowling the touchline, a vocal presence which began to irritate Jurgen Klopp. By all accounts, the two became involved in a mini-spat as the Scotsman spoke with Seamus Coleman.

Klopp took exception to “Big Dunc’s” joyous manner, though it is easy to sympathise with Everton’s assistant head coach for getting carried away. Results like these have been a long time coming, and rather than being cast aside by Ancelotti, Ferguson has been allowed to continue the work he began as interim boss.

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Much like his playing style, his coaching approach has often been over-simplified. There is more to his work on the training ground than roughing up the likes of Richarlison, who has admittedly become more resilient since he first began working with him more closely at the end of Marco Silva’s tenure.

Indeed, as caretaker manager, Ferguson’s tactics were relatively straightforward. In that way, he has complemented Ancelotti well and vice versa, the Italian often happy to stick with his right-hand-man’s favoured 4-4-2 system.

When he has deployed three in attack, he has reaped the benefits of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s upturn in form, which conspicuously, began in late 2019.

If the Italian has channeled the spirit of Inzaghi to make the England international more clinical, then it should not be forgotten who Calvert-Lewin credited with persevering with him in the first place.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Fulham - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - February 14, 2021 Everton assistant manager Duncan Ferguson before the match Pool via REUTERS/Oli Scarff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Ancelotti made a wise move in ensuring ‘Big Dunc’ stuck around (Photo: Reuters)

It was under Ferguson that the striker scored his first Premier League brace in a 3-1 win over Chelsea in December 2019, neither goal coming from the air, but both strikes produced closer to the six-yard box and as the result of him taking fewer touches.

Other forwards were less receptive and though he is now flourishing at Paris Saint-Germain, Moise Kean found himself on the end of his manager’s ruthless streak when he was substituted just 18 minutes after coming on against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Kean was aged just 19 at the time.

With the threat of such public humiliation hanging over the unfit, Everton began to press more effectively. Ferguson also identified the central midfield as one of his side’s big problem positions, wisdom he will have no doubt have imparted to Ancelotti when he arrived. The signings of Abdoulaye Doucouré and Allan were among his priorities.

The former centre-forward is now communicator-in-chief, often undertaking press duties. Not a necessity – Ancelotti has spoken English for over a decade – but another sign he is confident enough in their shared philosophy to send him out as messenger.

He also allows him a role in team talks. “Dunc is the same old, he is always firing us up, letting us know how big a game it is,” Michael Keane told the Liverpool Echo after victory in the Merseyside derby.

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“He’s obviously very experienced in these sort of games, knows what to expect. We are lucky to have him around.”

The joyous scenes in the dressing room after beating the champions were mocked by some rival fans, but they were thoroughly enjoyed by the coaching staff.

“Getting” Everton was not enough for David Unsworth and, on its own, it wouldn’t be for Ferguson either. It is proving a benefit to Ancelotti, nonetheless, and while they might seem an unlikely pairing, the combination of the two coaches is having a transformative impact on the mood around Goodison Park.

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