Everton have announced that caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson will remain in charge of the first team for Saturday’s Premier League visit of Arsenal.
The club are expected to announce the appointment of former Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti as the permanent replacement for Marco Silva, who was sacked last month, but the Italian will not be in place in time to lead the side against another manager-less club in Arsenal this weekend.
An Everton statement issued on Thursday afternoon said: “Duncan Ferguson will remain as caretaker manager for Everton’s Premier League clash at home to Arsenal on Saturday.
“The former striker has been in temporary charge of the Blues for the past three matches, overseeing a 3-1 win against Chelsea at Goodison, a 1-1 draw at Manchester United and Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Leicester, which Everton lost on penalties after coming from two goals down to draw 2-2.
“Ferguson will again be assisted by coaches John Ebbrell and Francis Jeffers and goalkeeper coach Alan Kelly.”
Everton may still announce the appointment of Ancelotti before the weekend, with reports suggesting that his lawyers have reached an agreement to spring him from his existing Napoli contract in order to take up terms with the Merseyside club.
It's expected that the former Chelsea manager will return to these shores to watch Saturday's encounter from the Goodison Park stands, before taking full charge of the side once the club have finalised their move for him.
