Everton caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson addressed the rumours linking Carlo Ancelotti with the vacant role during his Arsenal pre-match press conference on Friday.

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The 47-year-old has been at the helm ever since Marco Silva was sacked earlier this month, leading the Merseyside outfit to four points from a possible six in the Premier League against Chelsea and Manchester United, before drawing 2-2 with Leicester City in the Carabao Cup in midweek - although they were eliminated from the competition on penalties.

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The Telegraph has reported that the Italian is expected to be announced as the new boss this week following successful talks with majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, and the Scot was asked the question by the press ahead of the visit of Mikel Arteta's Gunners side this weekend.

He said, via The Liverpool Echo: "The same rumours as everyone else has heard. That’s it really. I’ve not spoken to anyone.

"It’d be fantastic to work under a top manager. I have in the past and I’d like to continue doing that.

Asked more about Ancelotti, he added: "I don’t want to really comment to be honest because I don’t know who the manager is going to be next... but the guy’s an incredible manager. He’s won everything, hopefully we’ll get a top top guy coming in.

"I think we’re really ambitious as a club. We want to attract the best guys to the club. It’s a massive club Everton and we’d love these type of guys at the football club."

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While certain media outlets seem convinced the 60-year-old is set to be named as Marco Silva's successor, no announcement has yet been forthcoming even though The Telegraph report that he should be in and ready to start work on Monday morning.

If he is his first match in charge would be against Burnley on Boxing Day, and he will be tasked with firstly dragging the club away from the relegation battle they currently find themselves in, lying just three points above 18th-placed Southampton.

In other Everton news, a report has named the two players Carlo Ancelotti wants to build his team around when he arrives at Goodison Park...