Ferguson appointed as Preston manager

Ferguson had been expected to land the role (GETTY IMAGES)

Darren Ferguson has been appointed as manager of Coca-Cola Championship outfit Preston on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The highly-rated 37-year-old had been a free agent since leaving Peterborough in November and succeeds Alan Irvine at Deepdale.

Irvine, 51, was surprisingly shown the door last week despite saving the Lancashire outfit from relegation in 2007/08 and guiding them into the play-offs last season.

Kevin Russell and Scott Taylor, who were part of Ferguson's backroom staff at London Road, have also joined North End.

Preston chairman Derek Shaw insisted Ferguson was the outstanding candidate for the job and backed him to embark on a successful new era at Deepdale.

Shaw told Press Association Sport: "Darren immediately came under our radar when we began the search for a new manager and we are delighted to have him in place so quickly.

"Darren is young, British and very ambitious. We are very confident he will prove a success here at Preston North End."