The Story Of Darren Ferguson’s Remarkable Affair With Peterborough United

Less than two weeks ago, 45,000 dazzled Birmingham City bluenoses had their promotion party soiled under the arch of Wembley by underdogs Peterborough United. The Posh were led to victory at the home of English football by one of the sport’s most notorious nepo-baby’s – Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex.

This triumph has upgraded Darren Ferguson’s Posh legacy with a third EFL (Vertu) Trophy title; the latter two coming back-to-back of each other. However, these three trophies are not wholly representative of Ferguson’s unorthodox career in Cambridgeshire. Along with an accompanied four Posh promotions, the Peterborough Manager is currently occupying his fourth stint with the club across a span of 18-years, after resignations, sackings, and ventures elsewhere.

🏆 BACK-TO-BACK 🏆

Congratulations, @theposh! 👏#VertuTrophy | #VertuTrophyFinal pic.twitter.com/VPxAQ9ZPpu

— Vertu Trophy (@VertuTrophy) April 13, 2025

A Complicated Relationship

Darren Ferguson has seen it all from London Road’s treacherous dugout. To cap off a playing career abundant of criticism related to his fabled last name and a Premier League winners medal round his neck, the Glaswegian followed in his fathers’s footsteps by becoming the manager of a Darragh MacAnthony-refurbished Peterborough United back in 2007. Ferguson 34-years-old, MacAnthony just 31, these two were the next chapter of a Posh outfit recovering from a sinkage of debt and relegation. In Darren Ferguson’s first full season at the club, he certainly showed the Fergie touchline magic. At a similar age to some of his squad, the player-manager took the Posh to second place in League Two – granting automatic promotion.

A foreshadowing of present-day EFL Trophy prosperity, Ferguson made it a double in 2009. Two consecutive promotions were unheard of for a manager of that age, despite all of 31-year-old Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth success simultaneously. However, all good things come to an end eventually; Darren Ferguson left Peterborough by mutual consent just six months after their promotion to the second tier, as the club loathed bottom spot in the second tier.

📷🆙#OnThisDay in 2009, promotion to the Championship was secured with a 1-0 win at Colchester United.

What are your memories of that day?#pufc pic.twitter.com/GTA6Vv63Kv

— Peterborough United (@theposh) April 25, 2023

Ferguson’s magnet attachment to Peterborough would only a breed a return in 2011, after the manager’s wavering control of Preston North End. This time round, Peterborough fans were in store for a four-year reign of their beloved manager. A spell which consisted of another promotion to the Championship, ironically through a playoff final victory held at Sir Alex Ferguson’s fortress that is Old Trafford. Furthermore, 2014 saw the first EFL trophy win of Darren Ferguson’s threefold. Then once again, what was another sweet, successful spell turned into a sour departure when the Posh hit a bad run of form in League One.

After a record four years away from London Road, 2019 saw a refreshed Ferguson commence his third appointment under MacAnthony’s Peterborough. Three is the magic number they say – the manager joined in the January and missed out on playoff football by the littlest margin of one point. The next season Posh were charming the third tier, Ferguson had nurtured players such as Ivan Toney and Sammie Szmodics as they were destined for promotion. However, as a global pandemic struck upon the season, all of Peterborough’s hard work and form was scarred by a points-per-game system that dragged them out of a playoff place. Next term, a promotion was brewing, and the club were not taking no for an answer. The Posh finished second in the League on 87 points, flying up to the Championship automatically alongside Hull City. Despite all of the hard work, history repeated itself. Come February the next year, Peterborough were struggling in the Championship and Ferguson decided to resign once more.

It was Posh hero Grant McCann who replaced him, reprising a second managerial stint of his own with the club. 11-months later after a relegation and poor League One form, McCann was sacked – and there was only one man for the job. Yes, Darren Ferguson arrived back for his fourth homecoming; taking his club to a playoff spot straight away in 2023 and then another time the year after, however both were unsuccessful. Despite playoff misfortune, the manager has broken records by winning the last two EFL trophies in the last two years, as he looks forward to more years leading out the blue and white.

BREAKING: Peterborough sack manager Grant McCann and appoint Darren Ferguson until the end of the season ✍️ pic.twitter.com/TBsuTKsIii

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 4, 2023

Batman and Robin

Darragh MacAnthony and Darren Ferguson have been hand in hand all the way, despite Ferguson’s ambiguous status with the club. This season has brought many troubles to London Road; with the losses of key players last summer, the Posh were struck with relegation threats throughout the season. A light appeared at the end of the tunnel for Ferguson’s men - adjoining their recent trophy triumph, they hit a good run of form lately. With two games left, Peterborough are 17th in the league, but MacAnthony stands crystal clear with his backing of the Scottish manager. It has stayed that way throughout.

Ferguson has been handed the sack from the club twice - decisions in which MacAnthony was reluctant to make, addressing Ferguson as one of the finest managers in the club’s history. Furthermore, when the Posh endured desperate times in the Championship in 2022, it was the manager who reached the verdict to walk – the chairman expressed his wishes of Ferguson’s keep.

Ferguson’s Glamorous Football

Darren Ferguson’s luxurious attacking football has been a sight for sore eyes at the helm of Peterborough. A substantial reason as to why the likes of Ivan Toney, Jonson Clarke-Harris, Craig Mackail-Smith, Dwight Gayle and Aaron McLean have netted so many goals in their careers.

As of late, Ferguson has adopted a sharp passing style, orchestrated by young, raw talent. Last season was a significant one in Peterborough’s books. The club finished fourth in the league, narrowly missing out on promotion through the playoffs, with an average squad age of 22-years. Despite their youth, the Posh outperformed many teams across League One, epitomising the aptitude of homegrown talent.

BREAKING: OXFORD REACH LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFF FINAL! ✅ pic.twitter.com/8egvv4i0H5

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 8, 2024

Kwame Poku is the latest star of Ferguson’s production of youth, as the Ghanaian descends from a list far too long to name. The winger has tallied up 12 goals and eight assists in League One this season - despite his three-month injury crisis – flashing him in the shop window for him to follow in the tracks of fellow Posh progenies.