Duncan Ferguson has hailed Everton's managerial appointment of Carlo Ancelotti after the Scot ended his spell as interim boss with a respectable draw with Arsenal on Saturday.
Ancelotti certainly represents a coup on paper for Everton given his CV, but lifting the Toffees out of their current malaise represents a very different challenge to his usual task of delivering silverware at the world's biggest clubs.
The 60-year-old immediately confirmed that he would be retaining the services of coach Ferguson, praising the Scot for his work as interim boss.
Ferguson's only defeat in four tough fixtures came on penalties against Leicester in the Carabao Cup in midweek and the Scot is delighted that Everton have lured Ancelotti to Merseyside.
Speaking after the 0-0 draw with Arsenal, he said: "What he's done in the game is incredible so I can't get started working with him.
"I'll be here as long as the club want me here so I'll be back on Monday."
Indeed, Saturday's clash at Goodison Park took a back seat to both clubs naming new managers in a bid to revive their fortunes.
Ancelotti, named as the new Everton manager barely an hour before the kick-off, got a first glimpse of the Toffees from the directors' box as did Arsenal's new head coach Mikel Arteta who was appointed by the Gunners on Friday.
The game was littered with misplaced passes and ineffectual final balls from both teams, with just two shots on target in the entire 90 minutes.
Ferguson added: "I think a point was fair. We struggled with energy levels and they probably had the better chances but we're happy with a point. The players dug deep today.
"I've enjoyed it but I knew it was going to be tough today. The boys were on their last legs to be honest, after working so hard in the last three games. But we still covered every blade of grass - we just lacked a bit of quality in the final third.
"Me and the fans go way back - I've been here 25 years. They're the lifeblood of the club."
