Michael Carrick's first foray into management was discussed by the Premier League legend

Duncan Ferguson claimed the hardman reputation he built during his playing career has hampered his management opportunities.

The Everton icon spent the last 12 years of his career in the Premier League, with 10 of those years being spent at Goodison Park in two separate stints. The former Scotland international's first taste of the dugout came with the Toffees in 2019, when he was appointed interim boss, and he performed the same role in 2022.

Since his temporary spell in charge four years ago, the 54-year-old has managed at Forest Green Rovers, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and is now head coach of NIFL Premiership club Glentoran.

A stint at Championship side Middlesbrough almost beckoned for Ferguson in 2022 after claiming Manchester United boss Michael Carrick rejected the position. Speaking to The Telegraph, the ex-striker suggested the steely reputation he was known for during his football career - which saw him receive nine red cards - may have played a role in struggling to get work as a manager.

Ferguson said: "I can’t get away from that. That was just how I played football. But I’m not like that off the pitch, unless you are breaking into my house! Other than that, I've been all right! I have been in Liverpool since I was 22 and if you are a wrong 'un, you'll get found out.

"Maybe they can't see past it. A couple of years ago, I should have had the Middlesbrough job. Michael Carrick had said he didn't want it. I had smashed the interview; the two boys who interviewed me told they wanted to give it to me but they had to speak to [owner] Steve Gibson.

"I thought I had a right chance of getting it. A couple of days drifted by, then the sporting director phones. 'We've got bad news.' Carrick had changed his mind and he went back to Gibson and said he wanted the job. So they went with him."

Ferguson got his Glentoran career up and running last month in a 1-1 draw away to Coleraine. He admitted taking the job is "costing a lot", but having the opportunity to return to management was something he couldn't stay away from any longer.

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He explained: "I've given up a lot to come here, but it's a great chance. This is a great club and they've got great people. And when you are on the touchline? It's like what Big Sam says: 'A win's a win.' If you get three points, no matter what the level, on a Saturday, you feel great. If you lose, you feel like s***.

"I love working. When you are out of football, a day becomes like a month, you know what I mean? You're used to working every day. You're sitting around at home, a week feels like a year, so you get itchy."