Peterborough eyeing Ferguson replacement as they bid to avoid horror record

Peterborough United are on the look-out for a new manager to aid their Championship survival bid.

Sunday night saw Posh announce that Darren Ferguson had resigned from his post, in what was his third spell at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Ferguson released a statement via the LMA's website shortly after his departure was announced.

He said: "It is after serious consideration, that I have made the decision to resign as manager of Peterborough United.

"After working tirelessly and winning promotion to the Championship, I genuinely hope that the club can find a way to remain there. Thank you to the players and staff, who were committed to the task in hand. Particularly Liz, Kieran, Barry and Bob.

Can Peterborough stay up this season? Let us know in the comments

"I would also like to express my respect for Darragh MacAnthony who has shown endless support and commitment to Peterborough United throughout the years. I'm sure the fans will continue to get behind him and the new management no matter what the position of the club is.

"Wishing them good luck for the future."

The search is now on for Ferguson's replacement. Whoever gets the job, they have a big task on their hands to try and ensure United avoid an immediate return to League One next term.

Posh have the worst goal difference in the Championship - and by some distance.

They have scored just 23 goals and have shipped 61 already. Only fellow strugglers Reading have conceded more (62).

Those statistics combine to give Peterborough a goal difference of minus-38. They still have 15 games to play as they bid for survival - but they will also be desperate to try and avoid a second tier record.

The team with the worst goal difference in the Championship, since the year 2000, was Stockport County.

In the 2001-02 campaign, County had a whopping -60 GD during the season they finished rock-bottom and conceded a mammoth 102 goals.

Rotherham United came close to matching that unwanted record in 2016-17. The Millers also finished bottom with a GD of -58.

Posh have just four clean sheets to their name in the league this season and confidence is clearly low in the camp.

The final straw for Ferguson was Saturday's 1-0 defeat to another of their drop rivals, Derby.

As well as defensive struggles, it saw Posh's goal drought extend to 473 minutes - almost eight hours. The result also means United haven't won any of their last nine league games.

"It's a tough one to take," Ferguson said after the Derby result. "You can imagine how we're all feeling in the dressing room after putting so much into a game of football.

"The amount of shots we had and the shots on target is nowhere near enough. We are just lacking quality at times. Not heart, desire or effort - just pure quality and it's tough for the lads."

Grant McCann, a former Peterborough player and manager, is the current bookies' favourite for the post.