Carlo Ancelotti: Everton hopeful of appointing Italian as Marco Silva's replacement

Everton are hopeful of appointing Carlo Ancelotti as manager as positive talks continue.

Ancelotti, 60, has been Everton's top target to succeed sacked Marco Silva.

The Italian held face-to-face discussions with Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri in London earlier this week.

But caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson is set to be in charge of Saturday's home game against Arsenal, even if Ancelotti's appointment is finalised.

Ferguson will be part of any future management team, his stock rising after a spectacular impact on and off the field, winning against Chelsea, drawing at Manchester United and only losing on penalties to Leicester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final after Everton came from two goals down.

Everton owner Moshiri has long desired a world-renowned manager in charge at Goodison Park. Ancelotti, one of the most successful coaches in the modern game, fits the bill.

Moshiri is certain to have not only promised Ancelotti a lucrative personal package in a long-term contract but also substantial funds to reshape the side that has struggled this season.

Ferguson 'gutted' after League Cup loss

Ancelotti is Everton's first choice to be new manager

Ferguson has had a positive impact on the club and has been credited with reigniting the fight within the players following three successive defeats in Silva's final games that left the Toffees on the cusp of the Premier League relegation zone.

Everton again showed plenty of spirit against Leicester, battling back from two goals down to take the game to penalties, only to be undone by two Kasper Schmeichel saves.

"They're obviously gutted in there," Ferguson said after the game. "There's a lot of tears. I'm gutted for Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines, guys like that.

"It was a big chance for us to get to the semi-final, we're at home and I was just really disappointed in the first-half performance.

"I thought the second half they showed much more aggression and we put in a very good second-half performance.

"It just wasn't to be unfortunately."

Duncan Ferguson is my hero - what you said

Anthony Bellew: Was a tough one that!! Heartbreaking to go out like that! The lads did brilliant and fought until the very end! Proud of them and the job Duncan Ferguson is doing! Into the weekend we go.

Gary Woods: Duncan Ferguson today on the sideline, the changes he made, how he is for the full match, I genuinely think if he was given this job full time he would be a great manager. People aren't picking up on the tactical side, but all signs are he would be great.

Peter Needham: Genuinely not sure any other manager could have done any better than Duncan Ferguson has. Absolutely miraculous, game after game.

Adam Hancock: Excited for Ancelotti but will miss Duncan Ferguson lobbing his blazer off and wearing just a shirt on a Wednesday night in peak winter. My hero.

Ian Cahoon: If Duncan Ferguson isn't hugging a ballboy, are Everton even playing at home?

Matthew Roberts: I love the way Duncan Ferguson has galvanised Everton and the passion he has for the club. He was my hero growing up & is a legend among Evertonians. I would love it if he got to manage Everton on more permanent basis one day, even if he needs to gain more experience first.

Delight, dejection, delirium - the five stages of Ferguson

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225 comments

I just hope Ancelotti doesn’t think Everton is near London just because he met the Chairman there.

Else he could end up living in a hotel in Liverpool, whiles his family lives in London and Italy. It could also end up making him a miserable, grumpy loud mouth who blames players publicly and brings in an atmosphere of negativity in the club.

Nah, no one would do that, it’s crazy.
@23, 'We've never treated out post fergie managers like that despite them not playing good football or mounting any king of title challenge.'

Apart from Moyes, Van Gaal and Mourinho who were hounded out of OT by the impatient glory hunters.
Arsenal have missed a trick. Presumably they've decided to spend as little as possible on their next manager. For how some fans treated Wenger, they rather deserve the mediocrity an inexperienced manager will achieve with that squad.
Really surprised by this (if it happens)

Ancelotti one of the top managers in the world going to a struggling PL side

Everton must be absolutely loaded. Must be about to go for it in january and summer

This is certainly the right guy for them. Surprised he hasnt spoken to arsenal. He will attract top players. As big a name as guardiola, zidane, klopp

Spend right + you could do a City
Goodluck Evertotians, from an LFC fan. And Scouser :)
Ancelotti reminds me of myself. Lover of spaghetti (hoops). Wears a cardigan even to bed. Got sacked from every job I've had.
Ancelotti is a gamble, especially when Big Dunc has galvanised the team & got them performing. What Dunc lacks in experience, he more than makes up by getting the crowd behind his side.

Whilst there's no doubt Ancelotti is a great manager, the same could be said for Pellegrini at West Ham. Ultimately, EFC have signed some awful players & need fighters in the team. Is Carlo fit for a fight? Hmmm
it doesn't feel like a good fit. hope i'm wrong!
If Everton are fortunate to appoint Ancelotti, he had better run with Ferguson as deputy
McNultys job title should be hiring and firing head writer
Unusually for continental coaches Ancelotti is a class act , although his best days are well and truly behind him.

But, if, as it seems likely, he gets the gig, what an absolute shame that Big Duncan won’t carry on. For all the sophistication of CA, I think EFC will benefit most from the fiery Scots tenure.

Never mind the expensive Italian suit, I prefer Big Dunc and his Top Man shirt
Imagine if Arteta is appointed as Arsenal manager before Saturday: McNulty won't know which ex-player-with-zero-managerial-experience to froth over more.
Love Rodgers’ nervous laugh in that first photo “I didn’t mean what I said when I managed that rabble across the park. Please don’t pick me up and swing me round.”
@39.markmack

Overrated manager....err 3 times champions League winner out of 4 finals

Won Pl and FA cup with Chelsea

Yeah well overrated mate
Everton will be different proposition under this fella no doubt about that. Good squad of players just need manager with formula that works. Duncs put the desire and pride back this guy will do the rest.
If this appointment goes ahead, what does that make of Arsenal? A smaller club?
This would be huge for Everton. Having a billionaire owner is only useful if you have a proven winner who knows how to build a team and can attract the best players.
This is something Everton have sorely lacked for the last 5+ years.
This could be the jump start the club need to get back amongst the top 6 and pushing to win a trophy.
If Moshiri is truly offering Ancelotti £11.5 million/year, he will instantly become the second highest-paid manager in the PL. Clearly Everton have set their sights very high for the future. Not sure if it will pay off though. I would have thought that Arteta would have formed a better partnership with Duncan Ferguson, both being former Everton players! Would be good to see 2 top Merseyside clubs
Quite a coup if Everton land Ancelotti but he surely knows that they do not have the spending power of ‘bigger’ clubs. It will be exciting to see what he can bring using his experience. Big Dunc can motivate and Carlo will strategise!
It would be a massive coup for Everton to get Ancelotti in charge. His vast experience would have an incredible impact on the club and his ability to attract top talent would be invaluable.

Can he turn them into champions? I doubt it. Can he make them top six? Possibly. Will he have a positive effect? Certainly.

I’m a red but I know the value to our city of a strong, competitive Everton.