Darragh MacAnthony’s blueprint for the next Posh manager, should Darren Ferguson ever leave London Road

They’d probably get short shrift if they did as Ferguson is a key man in the Posh blueprint for the future no matter how his side fare this season.

But if Ferguson did receive an offer he couldn’t refuse, and Posh didn’t want to stand in his way, MacAnthony revealed on his popular ‘Hard Truth’ podcast just what attributes he would look for in a potential replacement.

“Well first of all I’d put a call into Eddie Howe,” MacAnthony joked. “But I doubt he’d come down to our level.

“There are so many top managers at our level and below though who are doing amazing jobs with small budgets. I’d look at them and I’d look at the style of play they employ. It’s not always about the results they get.

“A perfect example of looking beyond the results is the Rochdale manager (Brian Barry-Murphy).

“I look at some of Rochdale’s scorlines and just think ‘wow’. They clearly play without fear. They draw 4-4, they win 5-4 and sometimes they lose heavily, but they stick to their principles and they have a go in every game. I just wonder what that manager could achieve if he had a budget to work with.

“Even if he ended up getting sacked - which happens to all managers eventually - I’d take a look at him. I love his style.

“There are others performing miracles with little budget also. Look at the job Dave Artell has done at Crewe. What a great footballing side they are. They gave us a lesson at their place this season.

“Plymouth are another one. Ryan Lowe has been a manager for about three years and already has two promotions on his CV. That’s talent right there and Plymough are going well again this season.

“Drop down into League Two and look at the work being done at Cheltenham and Newport. They’re not the biggest clubs, but they churn out good results every week. The managers there (Michael Duff and Michael Flynn) must have plenty about them.

“I wouldn’t be averse to looking in non-league either. There is plenty of talent in this country.

“I am surprised Fergie hasn’t been headhunted, but I’m pleased as we want him here. I’m also surprised Darren Moore (Doncaster) is still in League One. What a great job he does. He’s no-nonsense, no fuss manager who gets results by playing the right way.”

Posh made an unsuccessful approach for Howe when Ferguson first left the club in 2009.