Shaw: Ferguson under consideration

30 December 2009 13:19
Irvine, 51, was surprisingly shown the door yesterday despite saving the Lancashire outfit from relegation in 2007/08 and guiding them into the play-offs last season.[LNB]Shaw is now focused on finding a successor and admits the highly-rated Ferguson - currently a free agent after leaving Peterborough in November - is on his radar.[LNB]Shaw told Press Association Sport: "I have received literally dozens and dozens of phone calls from people in and outside of the game expressing an interest in the job.[LNB]"We will look at all our options very carefully and then go through the formal application and interview process.[LNB]"There's a few experienced managers out of work at the moment and there's one or two up and coming managers that we know about as well."[LNB]Asked if Ferguson fell within that latter group, Shaw replied: "Yes, of course. Darren Ferguson did a fantastic job at Peterborough so he's obviously in the frame.[LNB]"We would be foolish not to consider him but there are several quality candidates out there and we've not spoken to anybody just yet."[LNB]Ferguson is likely to favour the vacant managerial position at Bolton after Gary Megson was unseated today.[LNB]Paul Jewell, Steve Cotterill and Jim Gannon would then lead the race to succeed Irvine at Deepdale.[LNB]Shaw added: "We'll go about our business quietly and efficiently because all the publicity surrounding Darren Ferguson when he left Peterborough was like an episode of the Muppet Show."[LNB]Shaw, whose decision to axe Irvine has attracted criticism from Preston fans, has placed Rob Kelly in caretaker charge ahead of this weekend's FA Cup tie at home to Colchester.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk