Rodgers feels ‘Big Dunc’ has the ‘DNA’ to be Toffees gaffer one day

BRENDAN Rodgers has backed Duncan Ferguson as a future permanent Everton manager.

After guiding his team to victory over Chelsea and a draw against Manchester United i n t he Premier League i n his first two games as interim boss, Ferguson watched t he Toffees fight back from two down to force a draw with Leicester i n t he quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup only for the Foxes to win on penalties.

A stunning equaliser from Leighton Baines at the end of normal time sent Ferguson sprinting down t he t ouchline t o celebrate with a ballboy, as he had against Chelsea, and the Scot was close to tears i n his post-match press conference.

Ferguson expects to still be in charge for tomorrow’s clash against Arsenal but Carlo Ancelotti is set to become t he permanent successor to Marco Silva after reportedly reaching an agreement with Napoli over the termination of his contract.

Leicester boss Rodgers, though, believes Ferguson has shown he deserves to occupy the hotseat for longer in the future.

“He was great on the touchline,” said the former Liverpool manager.

“We were having some c h a t s . H e ’s a true Evertonian, he loves the club, he’s got a passion for the club, but he’s also a very good coach. He’s been coaching a long time.

“He’s been given the task of overseeing the team and you can see his pride and his passion. He’s done absolutely brilliant to galvanise the team over these last few games.

“They’ve got some really good results and, if it’s not his time this time, then I’m pretty sure in the future it can be because he has the real DNA of Everton.

“You see that i n the team, you see the spirit of the players and I think he’s deserving of his chance.”

Duncan Ferguson (left) and Brendan Rodgers.