Barry Ferguson has revealed he is prepared to call time on his playing days if he is offered the Blackpool job on a permanent basis.
The former Scotland international has been placed in temporary charge of the Lancashire club, following the dismissal of Paul Ince last month. Although he has yet to record a win during his short time in the dugout, he has drawn three of the five games he has overseen, and there has been an improvement in their performances.
This has led to speculation that Ferguson could be offered the job on a permanent basis, although it is understood no decision will be made until the summer. It is clear that the 36-year-old has a strong interest in the position, and has revealed he is prepared to hang up his boots if the Bloomfield Road outfit offer him the opportunity.
“If I get the job, I really don’t think I will be playing,” he said. “People have done both jobs (at the same time) but I don’t think I can do it. I made the decision not to play and stay on the sidelines, and the squad is becoming strong enough to cope. I am putting a new system in place and I want my team to be attack-minded. The commitment and effort has been there from the start, and we have also shown quality and belief.”
The Tangerines are currently 16th place in the Championship standings, and although they are 11 points above the relegation zone, four of the eight teams below them have at least two games in hand. They have now gone 14 matches without collecting maximum points, a run stretching back to their 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in November.
