Duncan Ferguson is working for free currently. (Image: Getty)
Toiling tirelessly to pull Inverness Caledonian Thistle out of a dire financial maelity, Duncan Ferguson has announced that he's been managing the club without pay.
The former Everton star and now altruistic manager disclosed his selfless act in the nick of time, following a call for help from interim chairman Panos Thomas for fans to scrape together £200,000 within a fortnight or risk the club plunging into administration.
Ferguson, who previously turned down the chance to join Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid in order to forge his own managerial career, admitted: "Obviously I can't go without a wage forever and ever, because I need to put food on the table myself. But, at the moment, I think needs must. So I'm making sacrifices.
"I just think it's the right thing for me to do personally. It's a personal choice."
Acknowledging the daunting situation facing Inverness, he expressed: "It's not easy, is it? It's not easy for the club. But, there you go, I've made the decision and hopefully it can help."
Amidst these trying times, supporters have shown their solidarity with a digital campaign that promptly soared past £10,000 barely two hours after its GoFundMe page went live.
Duncan Ferguson on the touchline with Carlo Ancelotti. (Image: Getty)
Yet, as hope flickered, the saga took another unpredictable turn. Thomas vacated his role on the board abruptly due to an undisclosed family exigency, closing his short-lived chapter as interim chairman.
Thomas expressed his gratitude, saying: "I would like to thank my fellow directors, staff and players at the club, the supporters and shareholders for their tremendous support to me during my short time in the role as interim chairman.
Trending
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
"I will always fondly remember the resilience, tenacity and endeavour of those folk whom I worked with.
"It is now time for me to hand over to others to find a way forward for the club that I have supported wholeheartedly since moving to the Highlands to live. I wish everyone at the club the very best for the future."
The League One club is already engaging in discussions with administrators and the Scottish Professional Football League, hoping that fans and other stakeholders can help avert the looming threat of insolvency.
However, on Wednesday, Thomas highlighted the financial challenges ahead, stating that the club would need to raise up to £1.6million throughout the season to settle debts with creditors and fulfil cash flow requirements.
