The appointment of Duncan Ferguson to manage Glentoran follows the club's decision to part ways with Declan Devine on 14 September.
Ferguson, who previously served as an assistant coach under Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez and Ronald Koeman, joins the squad after working with seven permanent managers at Everton.
He has also held two separate interim managerial roles during his time in the north London club.
The move represents a departure from the initial expectation that Tiernan Lynch would take charge following Devine's exit.
Lynch, a former player for Larne and Derry City, was widely regarded as the favourite to succeed Devine after leaving Derry City in August.
Despite his experience winning the Irish Premiership with Larne, Lynch did not secure the position at Glentoran.
Instead, the club prioritised bringing in Ferguson, whose profile includes eight Premier League red cards and a reputation for aggressive play.
Reports of Ferguson's arrival circulated rapidly across east Belfast following the 1-0 victory over Limavady on Saturday.
Fans have noted his presence in various locations around Newtownards Road since the announcement was made publicly.
While Glentoran have previously employed high-profile players such as Keith Gillespie, Nacho Novo and Niall McGinn, this marks a different context with a former assistant leading from the dugout.
The selection of Ferguson is viewed by some observers as one of the most unexpected developments in recent Irish Premiership history.
His background includes stints at Rangers and Newcastle United alongside his extensive experience at Everton.
No other applicant has held such a combination of roles as an assistant to multiple high-profile permanent managers in their career.
The club's strategy appears to have moved away from the straightforward recruitment path initially considered for the vacancy.
This development highlights the complexity involved in securing top-tier managerial talent within the current landscape of Northern Irish football.