Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley's League One promotion rivals sack their former Hull City and Doncaster Rovers manager

Hot on the heels of Danny Cowley getting the boot from Portsmouth on Monday night, Peterborough United have now parted company with Grant McCann, despite Posh being EIGHTH in League One.

They have immediately moved to install Darren Ferguson as manager until the end of the season, making it the FOURTH time the Scot has taken charge of Peterborough.

McCann previously managed Doncaster Rovers and Hull City, leaving the former for the latter after just one season.

McCann was handed his second stint at the Peterborough helm in February 2022 after leaving Hull but despite an upswing in form could not prevent the club from being relegated from the Championship last season.

Assistant manager Cliff Byrne has also left the club.

“Grant and Cliff have been very professional throughout their time with the football club,” Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony told the club’s official website.

“Sometimes in football, it just hasn’t worked out.

“With the squad that we have, at the beginning of January, where we are in the league table is not where we expected and we feel if we are going to give ourselves a chance of a promotion run, now is the time to make that change.

“After watching us lose 3-0 at home [to Wycombe] on New Year’s Day, that hammered home what kind of run we have been on, one win in 10 weeks and that is just not going to cut it. We have high expectations, and those high expectations will continue.”

Incoming boss Ferguson last managed Peterborough before McCann’s appointment last year and won promotion from League One in 2021.

“We are not talking a long-term appointment,” said MacAnthony.

“It has been agreed between ourselves and Darren that the best way is for him to come in and work with the squad.

“He has won five promotions in his career; he will be going for number six and we are delighted that he has agreed to return. It is business as usual and on we go.”