We’ve looked at the managerial records of every Posh boss since the club entered the Football League in 1960. There have been 36 managerial appointments with an average lifespan of just under 1.8 years apiece.
Ferguson (4), Noel Cantwell (2), Chris Turner (2) and Grant McCann (2) have been appointed more than once, but who has the best points per game (PPG) record of them all?
We have calculated the below on Football League matches only based on three points per win. Caretaker-manager records have only been included if a temporary spell in charge led to a full-time appointment as in the cases of Billy Hails, Jim Iley, Mick Halsall, Steve Bleasdale and McCann.
The records of those with multiple appointments have been combined. The managers have been placed in reverse order based on their points-per-game (PPG) percentages.
25. NOEL CANTWELL
(Oct 72-May 77 & Nov 86-July 88)...P292 W120 D84 L88 PPG 50.68%...'The Messiah' also enjoyed two spells in charge and, while the statistics were similar in both, his first stint was the memorable one as the Fourth Division title was sealed 18 months after he took charge. Posh were muddling about in the middle of Division Four throughout his second spell. Photo: David Lowndes
26. MARK LAWRENSON
(Sep 89-Nov 90)...P57 W22 D21 L14 PPG 50.88%...He was a miserable so-and-so, but he was doing a sound job when chairman John Devaney apparently rang him. Lawrenson recalled: 'The chairman rang me up one Saturday morning and ordered me to drop five first-team players because we could not afford to pay them the agreed appearance money.' The LIverpool legend left soon afterwards. Photo: David Lowndes
27. DARREN FERGUSON (right)
(Jan 07-Nov 09 & Jan 11-Feb 15 & Jan 19-Feb 22 & Jan 23 to present)...P527 W235 D107 L185 51.36%....First spell (League 2, League One Champ) 57.93 % of points won. Second spell (League One, Champ, League One) 45.02%. Third spell (League One, Champ) 57.82. Fourth spell (League One) 59.82. Overall 51.36. Not bad. Photo: PT
28. JOHN BARNWELL
(May 77-Nov 78)...P52 W24 D24 L14 PPG 51.61%...Cantwell's first-team coach took Posh to within goal difference of the old Division Two after he was promoted, but left the following season after a row over transfer funds. Barnwell recalled: 'I had a verbal deal with the board which they reneged on. They told me I could reinvest money I made from player sales so I sold Chris Turner for £110k and they said I could spend £15k. I told them in no uncertain terms that they had until Monday to make their minds up or find themselves a new manager. I joined Wolves soon after.' Photo: David Lowndes