Ancelotti signs on as Everton boss

Welcome Carlo Ancelotti to Goodison. Let's all get behind you to make our great club wonderful again.

SSN saying he will be there today to meet players and will start tomorrow. Will be bizarre seeing both him and Arteta in the Directors box today

What a time to be an Evertonian who'd have thought it when Moyes and Hughes were in the frame. We aint won fuck all yet and he might be dissapointing in the end but we now know Moshiri/USM want us at the top table and we are plugged in. Can't wait!!

Brilliant news.

Fantastic! No risk at all here. My heart is singing.

Briliant pre crimbo present, Come on Dunc complete the gift COYB

Superb news. First time in many years i've been happy about a managerial appointment. This certainly raises the profile of the club going forward

Great stuff. COYBS!

Excellent news, we can only wish Carlo all the very best and hope for the best. Every managerial appointment is a risk, but the Carlo-Dunc team seems like a sensible one. Dunc seems to have gained Carlo's respect, based on his initial comments. If Everton are able to pull off a good result over Arsenal, Dunc can be proud of his efforts.

You cannot say Moshiri isn't trying to bring the very best to the club.

Come on you blues

Amazing hire! And to think, we could have ended up with Moyes.

Transformational appointment. Carlo will be able to attractive the quality players we need. Game changer.

Not sure how it will go of course buts he's the most successful manager ever to manage us and I expect he'll attract a better quality player. Exciting times! Hope it's not another false dawn!

Finally, Everton make a proper managerial appointment! This to me, is clear indication that progress is being made. So happy with Don Carlo in charge!

“Great men are not born great, they grow great. . . ”

(The Godfather)

100% positivity from me !

Could be a game changer! He's not come here without promise of big money to spend too!

Absolutely buzzing - is this the day we really start acting like a big club ?

Wow. What a statement!

Holy Moly!

What a coup. A world class manager in the Goodison dug out. Wow!

And to think we thought Moyes would be coming back just a week or two ago.

Rumours that first signing will be Ibrahimovic!

This club is on the up.

Great news can't wait for the Jan transfer window...

Steve [9] lololololohahshshalolololohahahahaha OMG That isn't a joke :-| In the Royal Blue Carlo Ancellotti Vs In the job centre David Moyes eeeeerm thank you everyone at Everton for making this happen. Lets be honest when this started as a rumour even we were like, I don't think so. But lo and behold 1 of THE most successful club managers has arrived at our door, now lets get behind him and his team (to come) & fingers crossed this is finally a corner we can successfully navigate, so we can start to again compete with rjem over their, to bring back the halycon days of the emotional chanting of 'Merseyside... Merseyside... Merseyside..." ringing out again at all major stadiums in the not so distant future.

COYB & Well done Big man, you are a true blue legend - FOR REAL 💙 we never doubted you ;-) it was just the absolute $hite you've had to sit next to over the lasy few years but no more & you're time is to come. See you on our touchline again in our state of the art Bramley Moore Dock Stadium in just +3 years time.

Photos on Twitter of Ancelotti arriving at Goodison, looking like a Don :)

Wow. This really is a potential game changer for our beloved Everton.

They've kept that one quiet!

Welcome aboard Carlo, let's hope we can kick on from here.

Good old BBC..couldn't wait to have Lawrenson pouring cold water all over this on Footie Focus. They..Beeb and RS really despise us don't they

Guys on Sky Sports seem gutted that we've pulled this off, that's a good sign!

The coverage on soccer Saturday is pretty disgraceful! Second question about Ancelotti was about Klopp!

Have Everton appointed him because Liverpool have Klopp ?

Hope zlatan comes with him. Now there's a player who won't go to mordor with an inferiority complex

David@21: The only thing we'll be chanting is "Everton...Everton...Everton...".

Superb news! Let's get 3 points for Duncan. COYB

Now it's official, welcome Carlo. He has a fantastic pedigree and will hopefully help us really drive forward.

Fair play to the board for this one.

He mustve taken some convincing because he's not going to put his reputation on the line if the funds are not there to build a team from.

He's managed many of the best players in the world. He won't put up with mediocrity. Many in our squad have their days numbered, thank god.

He is at Goodison and will be in the company of the directors in the stadium. He has met briefly with the players already.

On the club site, Marcel Brands is quoted as saying:

"Following a rigorous process conducted by all of our Directors, it is a pleasure to now welcome Carlo Ancelotti to Everton. He is one of the finest managers in world football and a proven winner, having achieved a remarkable level of success in each of Europe's major leagues.

“He is the perfect appointment for us. He embraces our vision for the Club and we are sure that his enthusiasm to take the helm at Goodison together with his tactical abilities and well-renowned man-management will make him successful in this role.

"This was a clear and exciting decision for the Board to make. It was a unanimous choice and one we were all fully united behind throughout.

"Carlo has proven time and again, he knows how to build a trophy-winning side and we share the excitement of our fans at the prospect of him leading our team in the years ahead. We're all greatly looking forward to working with him."

[My emphasis].

This is a game changer..

Enjoy the ride.

Welcome aboard Don Carlo hopefully he wont be "signing on" again in 18months time !! Is up to the board to match pedigree manager with pedigree players

I expect big Dunc to be offered quite a few roles as manager in the next few seasons and we would have to say more power to him

He for me has not put a foot wrong has turned the club on its head and has been a breath of fresh air although in a Cameo role and I would argue has laid the foundations for Carlo to walk into

Onwards and Upwards hopefully our club are finally going to have that winning mentality again so that when the likes of Big Nev states that we should start each and every season trying to win the PL else whats the point, He wont be getting funny looks

Saying that for the money I expect European football by end of next season
COYB

I'm absolutely delighted by this. It's a real statement of intent and ambition.

I also think it's an impressively ambitious choice by Ancelotti himself. If he wanted an easy, lucrative, semi-retirement gig then he could have found that. Instead, he's chosen to take a risk himself, and challenge himself as a manager to really build something with us.

I think that's admirable - one of the best managers in the world wants to be part of our "project".

Like everyone I have some reservations, but this could be the end of all the bungling and epic mismanagement. Hopefully this optimism is justified.
Well done Moshiri.

Welcome CA.

Fantastic appointment. Happy Christmas fellow blues. Let's hope he can bring success to our club.

Get us North of 30 points, please.

Judging by Mikel's interview he sounds very much like a "Little Dunc". A team of the 2 of them would be an interesting prospect.

But that is not yet to be so it's welcome to Carlo and best of luck.

Nice to see BK giving him some pointers and advice during the game!!!

Impressive appointment, let's hope he is still hungry, let's get right behind him COYB!

The most successful manager to have ever graced our dugout. A winner who knows the route to silverware and is still hungry for success.

Exciting times.

Nice to read all the red shirted pundits(?) telling us he is the wrong choice the envy and jealousy they cant contain is plain for all to see. COYB

This is a fantastic appointment and as I said in a previous post we are now GUARANTEED to win multiple trophies over the next few years. There's no chance it will not happen

This cannot fail. We can't afford it. Everyone needs 100% to be behind him. When the dark days come, and we know they'll come at some point, we have to back him and let him turn it round. We need 4 years of stability now.

He sure is the biggest name we ever had as a manager. I hope he has a plan, his health and luck.

He's appointed so let's give him a chance to see what he can do. Four-and-a-half years; the plan has been extended into the next level plan.

Steve Ferns - agree 100 per cent. Stability, progress, step by step building a 21st century Everton.

Me. I'm an old romantic, and Dunc or Mikel would have warmed the cockles of my heart, but Ancelotti is a different league. How long did it take before Man City finally became a big club after the cash injection? It scares me in a way. School of Science and all that. I wonder who's on the way in player-wise?

Coming to think of it, he is the least risky choice. If not Big Dunc, we could have got some unsuitable manager.

Looking at some of that lot today, expect a massive clear-out in the summer.

Good news. Let's hope he sells the dross and brings in some quality players in January, then we can plan for a summer of transfer action. Brands needs to step up, by not getting involved in last minute panic buys. i.e Iwobi.

Dave, lm looking forward to an influx of quality players, and soon fingers crossed.
So average today all over the park. We need our injured midfielders back, our confidence back and a goal scorer. But well done Moshiri.

Touche Steve F and Iakovos, stability is desparately needed and time given to a manager to build something that will bring us the good footie, success and trophies we all crave! COYB

Pasta & Prosecco tonight!!
COYB!

That was dire stuff, if Ancelotti can get this lot of players to pass to each other and not consistently give the ball to the opposition it will be a major improvement. Surely that has to be his top priority for now. How I feel sorry for those who have paid good money to watch that garbage.

We're left hoping yet again, for a genuine goalscorer in the January transfer window, I can't remember one decent effort on the Arsenal goal in the whole match, it was totally devoid of any entertainment. Thank goodness we got a point, all credit to Duncan for steadying the ship after Silva's nightmare start to the season.

You only have to read the threads to see that Evertonians are lost. Ferguson has done an admirable job, but hard work will only take you so far, even if it should also be taken for granted.

Good luck Carl Ancellotti, and please can you get us our Everton back!

Welcome Carlo. Splendid news. It could not have been better. Best wishes.
CARLO, BENVENUTO IN EVERTON FC

I'm with all the positive posts above. No guarantees - when was there ever in football? - but this is exciting. The next couple of transfer windows really will be interesting.

All we need now is a new team. Most are not fit for purpose. Even Whirlpool wouldn't take them back. Three or four windows before we're ready to seriously compete for trophies.

Questions need to be asked as to why it was necessary to have a 4.5 year contract. His track record is around 2 seasons with a club. The compensation will be considerable. It's clear he joined the club dictating all his terms and conditions with the spineless board giving him everything without much negotiation.

I think Ancelotti when approached, made some ridiculous demands which he didn't think realistic or acceptable, yet somehow they did. Time will tell, but I don't think he is the right fit and will leave the club inside of 2 years in worse shape than it's in.

John Zapa 63

You may be right but Ancelotti held the cards in the situation. Everton are not close to the level he has been used to. They've wooed him hoping he can get us there. It would have been a hard sell if we said "we really want you but you only get 2 years because realistically you'll probably quit or be sacked or quit by then." Every contract is too long and too lucrative but that's the nature of the beast in football these days.

George 46

I saw an article on ESPN last week saying Everton fans were "ungrateful" and "Moyes is the best they can hope for." You can't win really. When we got Silva people said he was unproven, risky, no track record. When we got Sam they said he was desperation. When we got Howard III they said it was a lazy choice going back to square one. Now Carlo is too good of a manager to manage a bad team.

Still very much in two minds about this. On the one hand, whoopie we've got one of the top managers in the world! On the other hand, is it a bit like me, a flabby fifty-something who gets out of breath running a bath, employing Mo Farrah's marathon coach in the hope of a gold medal at next year's games?

Michael 66

Don't give up. You could be the Eddie The Eagle of ToffeeWeb

Stability, it ain't happening. Look around and the number of stable ‘project clubs are in the minority.

It's a money driven bun fight. The contract is commercial cover for Carlo's payout if it goes tits up.

The appointment isn't some gradual, tangible improvement bullshit. I'd expect it's clear he has funds and cart Blanche to change the squad. The FA cup will be taken seriously and the league position should be focused on European qualification.

Brands will be a busy lad.

It's the appointment that Moshiri should have made first up. He now has two incredibly successful people at the top end of the football operation. There are zero excuses.

Watching the footage from the stands that was the most talkative I've ever seen Farhad. Time to make it happen folks.

This genuinely could be shit or bust for Everton if this doubling down on this monster gambit doesn't work I think we are fooked.

Imagine the dialogue between Carlo and Mosh.
Carlo "You need better stewards, those fans standing around on the pitch getting in the way of the play."
Mosh "That's Gylfi Sigurdsson and Cenk Tosun. They play for us."
Carlo "Pull the other one, let me guess Brands is going to sign Dele Alli's "brother" in Janaury too."

Very interesting article in the economist:

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2019/01/19/managers-in-football-matter-much-less-than-most-fans-think

If you don't have time to read it all, the summary related to Ancelotti:

Carlo Ancelotti has squandered resources. Although he has led the team with the best players in its league in eight of his past 12 seasons, he has won only three titles in that time. A top-league player who fared so poorly would have lost his job. But the market for coaches is inefficient. Mr Ancelotti keeps getting hired—perhaps because employers over-weight his three Champions League trophies, which required a much smaller number of wins.

That's a chilling article John @70. The only optimistic spin I can put on it is that Ancelotti won't be starting with great players, so he won't be able to underperform on these kind of statistics. Indeed, maybe the "myth" of Ancelotti will attract some really top players to the club - and that will be how we add points?

John 70 name me a manager who has never squandered resources.

This is a massive statement of intent from Moshiri and he should be praised for it.

He now needs to back the manager in January and start bringing quality in.

Carlo Ancelotti is the manager of Everton!! Come on everyone let that sink in!

We were linked with Mark Hughes and David Moyes last week!

We simply have to support this 100%.

John

The fundamental flaw with that article is that cost is the sole criteria of judging whether a player is good or bad. Ancelotti has only managed the "big clubs" and PSG, Madrid, Juventus etc pay a premium because they are "big clubs." Case in point, Thomas Graveson. At Everton he was a 2.5 million pound no name player in a mediocre club. Suddenly he's at Real Madrid earning a mint. Based on his earnings, Madrid Graveson is better than Everton Graveson. Likewise Aaron Ramsey on 400,000 a week at Juve is better than Ramsey at Arsenal on 80,000 a week. Even if Graveson and Ramsey perform to the exact same level at both clubs, the club paying them more is "wasting money" by this analysis.

The other thing to take into account is that Ancelotti is a manager and not a director of football. He doesn't make all the decisions about transfers. Indeed, at real Madrid it's often the club president who signs players not the coach. So you can't really hold Ancelotti accountable for the fact Perez decides to spend a hundred million on a player who is famous enough to be classed a "Galatico."

My take on it is to say absolutely nothing until we have pulled clear of the bottom three. Watching today, we are a very poor side and those in and around the bottom are battling away for every point, For me, the performance today shows we cannot take anything for granted. I can only guess that those playing suffered a sort of stage fright knowing that a manager of CA's standing was watching. It really was a truly awful performance. On a positive note, I can see us bringing in a few high quality additions in Jan as I'm sure this was part of the pre contract discussions

Welcome Carlo, welcome to the hardest, most challenging job of your career, I hope you have the stomach for it.

John@70: I used to read The Economist. But I stopped, because I found most of the articles to be a bag of shite. Let's just see how Ancelotti does at Everton, rather than trying to predict the future or take journalistic shite too seriously.

I sill reckon Arteta should've come to Goodison and Ancelotti gawn up the Arse, but now that he's here, “Forza Carlo!” His track record's not too bad, let's hope he embellishes it further.

Exactly Tony Abrahms. Duncan should be applauded for the way in which he turned around this underperforming team. But as you say, passion, desire, commitment & fire is only part of the solution. Likewise, ability alone won't cut it. Hopefully Acelloti can install not just a blend of all of the above, but the winning mentality that goes with it.

We need to get a grip here as fans. We have been served garbage for years and now we have a manager with a CV we have dreamed about. There is no guarantee it will work but by god it's the happiest I've felt as a 70 year old season ticket holder for the last 35 years.

Amen David!!

If God was appointed manager, some on here would point out he had no Premier League experience and therefor doubt his appointment. This guy is top draw, end of.

If Carlo cannot get Everton going in the right direction and up where we belong no one can. Good luck, Carlo, I for one am glad you are here.

I forgot to mention this is THE MAIN NEWS ON MERSEYSIDE today. Just remember that.

Thing is Jack, he does have. But I agree, what does having Premier League experience have to do with being successful?

Scratched record time for me on this site, however.

Ferguson, Wenger, Mourino, Pelligrini, Mancini, Ancelotti, Klopp

Never successful in the Premier League.. until their first appointment in the Premier League.

This is actually Anceloti's second appearance for those for what that matters. He's no Sam Allardyce, I'll agree, but his CV reads well to me.

Congratulations, Carlo, and welcome to our club. I'm delighted to have you onboard and wish you every success as you lead us from strength to strength into our new stadium.

A world class manager has come to Everton football club. Imagine that? No it's a reality. If we cannot succeed now then it's over. A challenge? Yes, but now we have a manager who has improved teams. His biggest challenge, yes but that's why we have paid top dollar.

I'm delighted and those questioning his appointment please never buy a lottery ticket. Today is hopefully the start of a positive journey.

A well done to Duncan. Got the players battling for the jersey. Brought pride to a difficult situation.. Now learn from the master about man management of players. Yes subbing the sub may work with average and young players but experienced talented players will not tolerate it.

Carlo Ancelotti has been appointed. Sure it will give us a bounce effect. However if this club really want to go forward January is going to be so important. Striker, midfielder, centre back. We need at least one for all of those positions if we are to get anything at all this season.

I can see him staying for a season and a half. The team will improve slightly but it will have cost Moshiri a lot of money for finishing maybe one place higher in the Premier League.

For me, this was the wrong choice of manager. I'd have gone for a Chris Wilder type manager on the way up rather than a 60-year-old looking for maybe one last big pay-day.

Ancelotti has been successful at big clubs. Sadly, Everton haven't been a big club for over 30 years.

Excellent news!! I thought Big Dunc was all over the shop tactically today, the right time for him to take a back seat again. Welcome, Carlo!

Blimey... some comments. Chris Wilder over Ancelotti. Good job for Chelsea or Man City that no-one told them they couldn't be big clubs. First significant appointment Moshiri has made.

Proof of the pudding is in the eating. We will see...

Jonathan, sorry, don't agree with you about Chris Wilder. He's doing okay at the moment, and for the last few years but how long can he sustain it/

I think Carlo Ancelotti is a good appointment. His past record speaks for itself. He certainly raises the profile of the club which is important these days. How long he stays is a 'who knows' but it would be great if, in the meantime, he brings some respect back to the club.

He may also feel he has something to prove to the Premier League, having been sacked by Chelsea having won the Double. Let's hope, in the season and a half you think he'll stay with us for, he delivers the double for us. :)

Chris, agreed... and all managers appointments require a huge slice of luck but his success is on record and I reckon justifies his appointment. It's only a week or so ago we were being linked with the likes of Moyes and Hughes. Neither of those were puddings I'd want to sample.

One not so good game and the attack dogs are set loose, Ancelotti will fare no better until there is a complete rebuild. The problem is, who will buy these players? Millions will be lost on those and it is not always certain that a completely new squad will gel. This will take years to resolve.

Regarding some of the comments above.

Chris Wilder is not some one season wonder. He has been promoted twice at Sheffield United and also at Oxford and Northampton. Management is about making the best of the resources available and he has done an amazing job. Everton would have done well to attract him.

Chelsea and Man City have both been taken over by some of the richest people in the world. Moshiri isn't in that league financially. His first years at Everton don't bode well.

Peter 93 I agree he does have a very good track record.

However, my main concern is the preservation of our Premier League status – lose that and Ancelotti will be off in a flash and I think, will be promptly followed by Moshiri. I dread to think what would happen then.

I can't understand why Duncan wasn't allowed longer at the helm just to get the vital points to ensure safety which I think he was perfectly capable of achieving.

Chris Wilder will not be able to attract world class talent. That's the difference.

Yes agreed re management just think we're aiming higher than a record of promotion from the Conference and from League 2 prior to his more recent success with Sheffield over the past couple of years. If it wasn't for half a season in the Premier League, I don't think his name would be mentioned.

Chris, I agree, there are big risks involved and maybe this is the last throw of the dice by Moshiri. I'm guessing that the timing of Ancelotti being available was too tempting as we've tried up-and-coming managers. We will see.

This is the most important day in the history of the club in the last 30 years – FA Cup 1995 included. This is the moment we dared to dream big and won. A great manager, a great man, a man worthy to sit in the same chair as Kendall and Catterick.

From Sam Allardyce to this in 585 days. God! This club is indestructible.

This is perfect timing to bring in a manager. January transfer window opens next week. Loan or buy a few players to improve the squad. Assess the players and in the summer make changes. The manager has a four and a half contract. Even the owner is aware this is no quick fix with the length of the contract.

Relagation is a possibility with whoever we get as manager but we have stability now. The owner has got the best available and credit to him. The hard work starts now. I wish Mr Ancelotti every success.

Ask a Lotti

Ancelotti by all accounts is not a one-season wonder either.

I would expect 2 or 3 quality signings, a run to the FA Cup Final, and 7th place... 2 out of 3 would do and I believe the manager has the know-how to do it.

Next season, we should see a great improvement on the playing staff, a Europa League run (semi-final would do), a cup, and a top 4 standing (I'll acept 3 out of the 4).
And the following season... You know it! I know it! And Carlo knows it... It has to be...

The most important thing that Carlo can bring is luck. Everton need a break, with injuries, with var. We need a lucky coach, someone for whom it just all falls into place. Someone, for whom the things he has no influence, gets them right.

Well, at least the board have managed to massage their egos with this appointment. I wonder who will be next in the Everton FC management go around?

Just for once, it would be a good thing if the board took the rose-tinted glasses off and actually put in place a plan with a proper succession plan that takes us from bottom half of the table to consistently challenging for 5th/6th place and then on to 4th or higher, instead of selecting fantasy footbll managers.

I see luvvy duvvy was hugging him before the game. Now that Carlo is part of the “Goodison Family” that's probably the end of him as a top coach. I hope I'm wrong.

Lads, would you please stop with the talk of relegation. Dunc has already shown us that's not going to happen, even with a paper-thin squad containing no fit midfielders. Onwards and upwards.

Well I've gone on Amazon and bought Carlo's autobiography going up the end of his time at Chelsea. It was a hardback for £1.10 plus p&p, so I grabbed a bargain. It should be a good read and I'm looked forward to learning more about the guy.

Ancelotti in. Huge statement. Football world definitely sitting up and taking notice. Fuck, he has a massive job though. First thing he has to do is bring in a top, top finisher. Until we have a consistent goal threat this team will remain down the bottom of the league. All the battling in the world won't compensate for the lack of a clinical reliable goalscorer.

If we have the ambition to convince Carlo to get on board we have to break the bank again and get a lethal frontman. Don Carlo and a massive cheque must attract this player or it's going to remain one long slog till the summer.

I wonder where this would rank in his list of achievements if for example he won us a domestic cup and had us qualifying for the Champions League within 2 full seasons?

Nice to see Carlo keeping his personal website up to date.

Link/

Does anyone else expect the next Paul the Esk column to be titled:

"How the Fuck Are We Affording This?"

Usmanov has to be behind this. Either that or we're pullin' a Leeds U.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled with this, and still can't believe we've signed Carlo Ancelotti. It's other-worldly! Pinch me. Actually don't, but you get my drift.

But.. . . who is paying for Carlo himself, our still slightly bloated roster, and the incomings Carlo will surely want?? We don't have Monopoly money!

Fuck it, let's win some trophies while we financially rape and pillage!

He's definitely Man at C&A, hope it works out, it has to, this time.

Jamie, rumours are that Usmanov has been heavily involved in this by guaranteeing Ancellotti the funds needed to buy the necessary quality players.

What does Usmanov get out of this without getting on the Board of Directors, you may ask? Well, he gets to build (supply) a large part of Bramley-Moore Dock and then probably gets naming rights – USM – for the new stadium.

When Paul Merson said, “Oh, that's not good” when Moshiri's takeover was announced on Sky, he wasn't talking about the bookkeeper but the money man.

Jamie @ 113, I think there has been scepticism from our American TWers when names like Ancelotti, Simeone and Poch were linked with Everton because of when many of you began supporting us - ‘the plucky little Everton' era when Moyes managed to persuade many that mediocrity was success. I take my hat off to guys like you and Mike Gaynes for seeing through that and sticking with the club through thick and thin.

For many of us life-long Blues who have seen major success, this is a game changer as it might enable us to climb back to the level that we believe we belong rightfully. I am delighted you are amazed and, like Colin, believe that Usmanov has agreed to underwrite our expansion.

I've heard from so many ex-red shite pundits and ex-players from clubs like Arsenal and Man Utd that Ancelotti won't be a fit for what Everton need – that is because they are rattled. Same for their fan club on the media and press. Carlo isn't a fit right now as he is a winner and we are a bunch of losers, but he will change that.

The reality is that they are terrified that we really mean business this time. We must keep stability and commit to giving our new manager the time and resources he needs. There will be setbacks and our response as fans has to be to hold our nerve and back the team.

Jamie@ 113; 'Usmanov has to be behind this. Either that or we're pullin' a Leeds'.

This is Everton, mate, so it's probably both.

If anyone was under the illusion that Ancellotti joining us would propel us to be the lead story on the back pages, just look again. Our loveable neighbours appear to have won WW III singlehanded.

The media obsession with them is both nauseating and worrisome. I just hope one day we can knock them off their fucking perch!

ps: Will they be having a parade?

This is an unbelievable coup for Everton, you can imagine other fans wishing they had him, Man Utd fans would have snatched Carlo's hand off if Ole had been sacked.

There really is a Father Christmas after all, better than any of us could have dreamed of.

Merry Christmas!

It's exciting times. He will defo be backed with the cash, like Koeman was and Marco was, sadly we couldn't get some of the players over the line like Zaha last summer and Giroud a few years before.

Hopefully Ancelotti will have the desire to stick around and really build something special. He will give us a far better chance at getting that top-quality player then his predecessors.

I just feel sometimes that us Evertonians are cursed, we've spent loads of money and the players just don't perform.

Liverpool don't spend big like we've been doing and they keep getting absolute class players at a snip.

Let's just hope our fortunes improve because every summer lately since Moshiri has come on board and started splashing the cash I've expected great things from our team for just to see them massively under-perform and actually get worse each year.

The football on offer has been terrible, the performances been shocking. I know we've been unlucky Gbamin not featuring through injury and then Gomes getting taken out but we were underperforming even with Gomes in the team.

Onwards and upwards, hopefully, because at the moment we are a laughing stock for the rest of the league and it's difficult to watch our performances.

The best part of going the game for me lately is the ale!

One of the reasons Liverpool are where they are now is their scientific, forensic approach to player recruitment (and maybe also their willingness to hack Man City's scouting system).

But the same could be said for the Red Bull clubs on the continent (Salzburg and Leipzig), who are top of their respective leagues. They keep unearthing gems, albeit inevitably selling them on to... well, Liverpool among others.

Jay, you mean Martin Edwards and his team. But most on here think the Director of Football system doesn't work and that it is not compatible with a dominant all powerful manager.

Great appointment, a class act of proven pedigree. Given the money to buy the players he wants then it will be successful. Forget this season, though, folks, his staff will have the ability to stave off relegation, so no problems there.

I did watch some of his 1st training session with Bayern, kindly put up by Steve Fearns, and what struck me immediately was the limited instructions given by the coaches to the players. It was almost as if there was this innate understanding between coach /players of exactly what was required, from the get-go. Seemed to me like a mutual respect between great coaches and great players.

I suppose that's my only concern, where the hell do they start with this bunch of under-achievers? Some are OK and will work, some are just plain idle and here for the money only, many are just rubbish, and some young lads who need coaching properly.

I can only presume and hope that they will concentrate on the worthwhile (we all know who they are), bring some quality in January, stay up and discard the 10 or 11 who are free-loaders. Repeat this in the summer and move out the free-loaders at a huge loss.

I have no illusions of the enormity of the task in front of Ancelotti. This being Everton, I just pray that he is backed fully, proven quality bought, this sentimentality removed, and they don't try to shaft him. All being equal, top 8 in a year and competing for top 6 or top 4 in 2 years.

Deep breath and give them a chance: form is temporary, class is permanent after all.

Allan I'm still waiting for confirmation of who the main coach will be.

We have so far:
- manager: Carlo Ancelotti
- fitness: Francesco Mauri
- assistant: Davide Ancelotti
- assistant: Duncan Ferguson
- nutrition: Mino Fulco

We're missing the nuts and bolts guys. At Bayern he had Paul Clement and Hermann Gerland. For this to work, Carlo needs a first class coach to implement coaching tailored to his tactics and the opposition.

Steve, you're probably right but welcome Carlo to Everton. Early 4 am start tomorrow as driving from Adelaide to Bungendore (NSW), close to Canberra, to spend Christmas with my bro and his wife. 1,100 km drive approx but c'est la vie (as the French say).

Thanks, Steve, I presume a large staff will mean he delegates the work. I read Alex Ferguson's books and he freely admits that it didn't work at Man Utd until Archie Knox told him to delegate the various roles out and he oversaw it all. That worked well enough!

From your list, it seems he has a core of go to coaches which would suggest continuity and solid transition from job to job – I like a man with a plan! Still think it will take time though.

Oh, and the fitness coach will earn his money!

Apologies for being derogatory but some nutter would prefer Chris Wilder to Ancelotti!!!!!

We cant ask for more on the manager front, what we need now is a squad to match.
So instead of blaming the manager for all our ills as in the past, we will know where to look if we still lack success.
Ancelotti is guaranteed to attract a better class of player, the onus is now on Brands and the club to give him those players.

Exciting times with a capital E.

Exactly right, Raymond @128.

The start of a new era yet again. Will things really change?

Surely to God we are due a change of luck as Liverpool keep getting out of jail with late late shows almost every game or something similar. Everton get a late equalizer and still lose the game. Go figure.

Okay they messed up with yet another manager in Silva but surely this man's credentials says he can do something. He saw some of the crap he has to deal with on Saturday and One hopes he has a name or two in his head to bring in to get some chemistry in this team.

The passing against the Gunners was as bad as it has been all season. I still can't understand why Tosun was the one to replace Iwobi but some of Dunc's moves surprised a few of us.

I am expecting a fairly rapid effect from Ancelotti, subject to the injury issues lessening.

Last season, there were many games where we were in control, with the midfield of Gomes, Gylfi and Gana being particularly impressive, one of the best in the Premier League. But things were undermined by the inability to finish off in front of goal. In other words, things were undermined by not replacing Lukaku, a problem that preceded Brands and Silva.

There was too much reliance on Calvert-Lewin, who had a very difficult task. In defence, Keane and Digne were in very good form, Keane particularly linking well with Zouma, and the defence buttressed by Gana. But of course, there was still a problem with mental resilience, as evidenced by the collapse in form after the Anfield Derby. But we still managed to finish the season well.

This season was immediately undermined by the absence of Zouma and Gana, a drop in form from a number of players including Keane, Digne and Sigurdsson, and some terrible injury problems. Incoming signings were of little help, because of being crocked when they arrived. The rest is history.

Precisely because we managed to control many games last season with this squad, even with the loss of Gana and Zouma, provided Ancelotti is not undermined by not being able to get two or three new signings that he probably considers necessary, I see no reason why we should not start performing much better, subject to injured players returning to fitness. With Ancelotti's expertise, we should expect a chronic problem of Everton, lack of mental resilience, to be finally sorted out.

So, although there are many posts saying it will take two or three years 'to sort this lot out', I cannot see this to be the case; if we don't see a more rapid improvement, I'd be very surprised and disappointed.

To be in the top 6 at the end of next season would be progress, I'd say. With preference to replace Arsenal if only to shut that idiot Merson up. The modern pundits and the media in general tend to forget there was football before Sky. Nobody talked about top 6 in those days.

Merson talks about us as if we had no right to dream... a 'who do we think we are' attitude because we have Ancelotti. So come on Carlo. Get us back where we belong.

It's great to see the Board showing the ambition of going for a man of his stature. At one time, I feared that Moyes was going to return.

I hope he does what we all want and that this is his kind of job.

I wish we would fuck Sky off and not let them report on us. I hate those fuckers.

Atalanta 5 AC Milan 0, good job we got Ancelotti signed up yesterday.

Colin #118, you will be pleased to hear that BBC News featured the Ancelotti appointment last night and didn't mention the RS at all.

I find that very hard to believe, Jimmy. The BBC will have inserted the words "Klopp" "six times" "world champions" in subliminal micro second bursts during the article.

Add Man Utd to that list Barry. If there is an example of why we should rightfully have refrained from potentially ruining Duncan's reputation as a manager and fans' favourite status before it started, there it is.

What United may probably have to do to a club legend is becoming increasingly inevitable because they made an emotional decision on the back of an initial good run of results and fan nostalgia. Watch the Chelsea space too: lost 3 on the bounce. Emotional decisions very rarely end in success.

A really exciting appointment and a definite statement of intent. I for one am really happy with the appointment. We have appointed the best manager available; when was the last time we could say that?

Obviously it could go pear-shaped & take a nose-dive or equally we could be at the beginning of a well overdue new dawn. I think the key is for the board to back him 100% both in terms of personnel and his vision for the team.

I am not going to take much heed in what figures in the media are saying about (which I have to say is quite negative) the appointment, as a lot of them commenting are ex-red shite or complete cretins like Merson, who snorted out what meaningful brain cells he ever had.

Reading between the lines, the general narrative from these ‘pundits' is that he is too big for our club and we would have been better off with a Moyes type character to work with the current squad. I just think a lot of them have egg on their faces as they never thought he would come to Everton.

Yes, he will be coming to us no doubt on a king's ransom, but I think it is a lazy argument to just suggest that he is only coming here for the money. With his CV, he could go near enough anywhere. He could easily get a job in China and get double of whatever we are paying him. Benitez and Pereira are two of the highest paid managers in world football on around 㿅/30 mill a year & both in China. Ancelotti has a better CV than both of them, so I am sure he could attract a similar job offer.

I think he has come with assurances that he will have significant funds to bring in his own players and build a team in his own vision and of course his in-built desire to win trophies. As I said, the key is the board and club buying into this.

Personally I will be happy to fuck off the "plucky little Everton" tag that has been attached to us for too long and bring back the beast of a team that I supported as a kid in the '80s.

Let's get behind him and enjoy the ride! (Hopefully!)

Chris Wilder has been brought up on this thread several times. Personally I think yes he is currently doing a great job at Sheff Utd. But comparing Wilder & Ancelotti is like comparing Bruno with Ali, no comparison whatsoever.

Ancelotti in terms of football is on a whole different planet to Wilder & frankly appointing Wilder would just buy into the "plucky little Everton" narrative.

As I said on the live forum yesterday after listening to the preaching of Lawrenson and Dublin on Football Focus, David, we've gone and offended the national media and pundits.

"Plucky little Everton" has dared to appoint one of football's elite rather than accept we can't win things anymore, and should have appointed one of their mates (Hughes, Moyes etc) or a so-called up-and-coming manager who is good at getting teams promoted and keeping them up / surviving (Howe, Wilder... to be confirmed over time). "Know your place, Everton" is basically what they might as well be saying.

How dare we try to genuinely believe we could possibly take the next step.

Quite a few years ago, they laughed at Man City's ambition but then elevated them once City signalled their intent. They gushed over Leicester for different reasons. I don't know what it is, but it seems the pundits have no time for our footballing history or heritage; it's like it's been airbrushed from history outside of the city of Liverpool and our extended family around the globe. A place we have ended up in, forged over years of Moyes playing to their tune and downplaying expectation. Convincing them as well as a generation of our own supporters that mediocrity and averageness is success.

Maybe this has rattled them, because if we back this guy, he will win trophies and disturb their current darlings. Winning is what he has consistently done as a player and as manager.

I'm off to watch Howard's Way again to remind myself what it used to feel like. It could, just could, be on its way back again.

Danny, to be fair, Lampard hasn't been able to sign anyone yet, and look what's happened to Derby since he left. He will make a good manager.

Potentially Joe. I think any managerial appointment is a risk (Ancelloti included). In fairness both Solsjkaer & Lampard at least had some managerial experience but maybe not enough to jump in at that level so soon... not that you can blame them for doing so when the chance came along. I think we've done the right thing by Duncan & the club.

And watch the Arteta space too. This may seem a strange comparison but those old enough may understand. When the likes of Bryan Robson & Gareth Southgate (yes current England golden boy), tried their first job at the tier 1 of the English pyramid, it ultimately failed.

Robson dropped out & Southgate went back to working his way through the coaching ranks to get where he has now. Admittedly within the confines of the Eng-ur-land setup & I'm still not convinced of his club level credentials or ability.

I watched Merson, Nicholas and Thompson yesterday and have just seen Lawrenson and Dublin on the BBC website. It's astonishing how belittling and condescending they are. It would be so good to remind these idiots when (fingers crossed) we become a successful team!

There's no way Carlo comes here without the promise of big money! He can do a great job of attracting the right players. I do worry about offloading some of the deadwood though! Over to you again, Marcel!

Great post, Danny @142. This part particularly resonated:

"A place we have ended up in, forged over years of Moyes playing to their tune and downplaying expectation. Convincing them as well as a generation of our own supporters that mediocrity and averageness is success."

That encapsulated the grievous pain I felt reading a slew of posts from some of our readers on here — The 15-percenters — who wanted that ginger charlatan back in the saddle. Thankfully their deluded wishes have not been granted, and we now have an elite manager in his seat.

Michael 147- I always read your posts with great interest and have gathered over time that, putting it mildly, you are not a great fan of David Moyes and I fully respect your view.

I have to admit that I fall in to the category of "the fifteen percenters" as you classify us, who wanted Moyes back during the Martinez, Koeman and Silva debacles. In his defence, I would argue that without his efforts we may well have been relegated into the Championship [and possibly even further] after the Walter Smith era. I honestly believe that he performed miracles in the context of the financial constraints placed upon him.

My rationale for wanting him back was simply because I felt he would be arguably the most sensible option in the precarious position we currently find ourselves in. I concede that he would not have been a long-term solution for restoring the club to it's rightful position as the pre-eminent club in the city. However, Duncan has performed extremely well in his brief tenure as manager with five priceless points secured which may yet well prove crucial in retention of our Premier League status. Arguably, if he had wanted it, he should have been given longer.

Whether Ancelotti is the answer is very much a moot point. Another long contract that may have to be paid up if things don't work out and we are totally reliant on Moshiri staying on board which is far from guaranteed. As I've already said, notwithstanding the general euphoria over Ancelotti's appointment, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

Jimmy 137, I find that hard to believe. They are mentioned everywhere!

This is great news. I was hoping for somebody with a CV similar to Harry Catterick. In the 3 years prior to becoming Everton manager with Sheff Wed he won the old second division, then reached the FA Cup Semi Final losing to Dave Whelan's Blackburn, then finished runner up to the Spurs double winning side. Carlo exceeds expectations and shows ambition from Moshiri.

He will not be scared of the RS. He beat them in the Champions League this year and drew at Anfield. His team also beat them 3-0 in a Friendly in July.

Very well presented argument Chris and your views like all on here are respected. Even when in the minority; that should never stop a viewpoint or opinion. All should be voiced and heard.

Going back to a Moyes appointment, that would also have been a moot point and the proof would have evnentually been in the pudding. But he'd have been even more up against it with the 85% against it. The atmosphere from the onset would have been toxic. Moyes has happened, been and gone. We need to get over that era & put it behind us.

Personally the difference here is I'd rather put my eggs in the basket of someone who is a proven winner & gamble on winning rather than putting them in a perceived basket of safety with someone who promises us stabilisation and mediocrity like we'd already had and got fed up with. Also, does he still even have that in his arsenal? He has consistently failed in every job since leaving Everton, where he led a charmed life on the back of what he "achieved" with one of English football's largest sleeping giants.

Moyes bashing over, let's respect the guy for what he did at the time. But he's not the future.

I'll go for thinking big and going out to win over setting up not to lose and hoping for the best every time and claiming success as being "We didn't lose" or "It could have been worse".

Let's get a winning mentality back into this club and the fan base.

Danny, Michael K was not only Moyes bashing, he was "ginger" bashing. Love it MK, "ginger charlatan", is much more potent.

Danny 151- many thanks for your complimentary comments which are much appreciated.

Moyes must very much regret leaving Goodison and the evidence is incontrovertible that certainly he did not achieve success at any of his subsequent appointments. However, I still think he has the ability to resurrect his career and make a positive impact at another top flight club. I wish him well in his future endeavours.

I very much agree we have to get the winning mentality back into the club- we have been struggling in the shadows of our neighbours for far too long.

Although I have reservations about his appointment, I genuinely hope that, now the decision has been made, Ancelotti does succeed.

If he can bring Bale to the club then I'll love this bloke more than Steve Ferns loves Silva!.

Not too hopeful mind.

The only downside is Ancelotti isn't in the same comedy bracket as Moyes, "that's what I do I win". Er was it nowt won at Preston, similar at Everton, Man Utd, Real Sociedad, Sunderland and West Ham 1st time. In fact, Davie boy, winning is something you are seriously unable to boast about.