Everyone hopeful of signing Carlo Ancelotti as new manager

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 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.

Evertonagainst 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."