The rumour appeared a week ago in the Paisley Daily Express and was the first any Saints fans had heard about MacPherson's possible departure. More tellingly, it was also the first the man himself had heard about a potential move to Deepdale, which pretty much meant the speculation could end there - although it continued until Ferguson's appointment today.
Other English clubs are currently looking for new managers, as are SPL sides Motherwell and Dundee United, so chances are there will be more speculation about the manager's future in the next few weeks.