Ferguson has led Posh to back-to-back promotions

Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has confirmed that manager Darren Ferguson was denied the chance to talk to Championship side Reading.

The Royals are looking for a new boss after the departure of Steve Coppell.

MacAnthony told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "I've always said that unless it was a Premier League club we wouldn't be entertaining any offers.

"If a top club came in for him and met our valuation of course we would allow him to speak to them."

Reading requested permission to interview Ferguson alongside a number of further candidates over the weekend.

Ferguson guided Posh to automatic promotion from League One this season.

The 37-year-old son of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already been linked with a number of managerial vacancies so far this summer.

MacAnthony says he can fully understand why his manager will be interesting rival clubs.

"We've got the best young manager in the country, he's just claimed back-to-back promotions and we have a terrific group of young players," he said.

"What I can't understand is a Championship club wanting to interview him rather than just offer him the job, that to me was a bit of an insult."

Ferguson has two years left on his current deal at London Road which he signed on joining the club in 2007.

MacAnthony says there is no get-out clause in the contract and that he would expect well over the seven-figure sum quoted in the press as compensation should Ferguson leave.

"There is no get-out clause in his contract, if people want to come after our best assets they will have to pay a lot of money," he said.

606: DEBATE Posh may now find themselves in a position now where they have a manager whose heart isn't really in it any more Frainys Free Kick

"Is there a figure for Darren Ferguson? Like everything else, if it's the right club and it suits us then of course there is a figure."

MacAnthony confirmed Ferguson requested permission to speak with Reading once he was told of their interest.

That request was turned down and MacAnthony believes the whole matter has now been brought to a close.

"It's not a sign he wants to leave, there's no problem, we haven't fallen out, there's no aggro between myself and the gaffer," he said.

"I think maybe we caught him at the wrong moment, it's an off-the-cuff remark, does he really want to go to Reading over us? I don't think so."

Watford boss Brendan Rodgers, Swansea's Roberto Martinez, and Paul Tisdale of Exeter are all believed to be in the frame for the Reading job.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version