Everton are not currently thought to have any plans to replace Duncan Ferguson following the Blues legends' departure as assistant manager.
Ferguson's exit was confirmed on Monday as the first team squad returned to training at Finch Farm. The 50-year-old is leaving in order to pursue his ambition of becoming a manager.
In a leaving statement Ferguson, who had two stints as caretaker manager, praised Frank Lampard and said the manager had sought to retain him. He added: "He’s a great man and a great young manager, I’m sure he’ll do very well for Everton."
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Ferguson's decision to leave Everton was announced publicly on Monday. The iconic striker said: “It’s been a massive decision for me. An incredibly difficult one but I need to move on, to take that next step in my career and look for that new challenge. Being a caretaker manager has given me confidence to step into management."
Ferguson is the latest significant figure to leave Finch Farm, with David Unsworth leaving his academy role in April to pursue his own managerial ambitions. While the technical setup has undergone sweeping changes since the appointment of Kevin Thelwell as director of football, Ferguson's exit is not connected to the strategic review designed to improve the club's footballing operation.
That review has led to the creation of a series of new roles and the separation of the academy director and U23s head coach positions both formerly held by Unsworth. Ferguson had been working with the backroom staff brought in by Lampard when he was appointed manager with Joe Edwards employed as an assistant manager and Paul Clement and Chris Jones as first team coaches.
Following the announcement of Ferguson's departure, chairman Bill Kenwright paid tribute to the Blues great. He said: "His performances as a player are etched forever in my mind, those towering Goodison headers against Liverpool and United, the crashing shots at Anfield and Old Trafford, his occasional brushes with officialdom. And his inspirational enthusiasm as a caretaker manager when we were at a low ebb in our fortunes reminded us of what it is to be an Evertonian.
"Football has never just been a game to Duncan, it’s always been Everton. We will always remain friends – but I wish him the very best in whatever awaits him next, unless it’s against our beloved Blues."
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