Everton prospect Thierry Small become the first player to publicly speak out on the exit of manager Carlo Ancelotti on Tuesday.
Sixteen-year-old full-back Small thanked Ancelotti for handing him his first-team debut in the FA Cup victory over Sheffield Wednesday in January.
The defender has been linked with Arsenal and Manchester United but the ECHO reported in April that talks are progressing over a new deal at Goodison Park.
After it was confirmed Ancelotti would return to Real Madrid, Small posted on social media: "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make my first-team debut.
"Good luck for the future."
Small, who joined Everton as an 11-year-old after a previous spell with West Bromwich Albion, is not eligible to sign his first professional contract until he turns 17 in August in accordance with Football Association rulings.
Small considers Lucas Digne to be the best left-back in the Premier League but there is also a firm belief from those close to the player that he can reach the same level in the future should the right pathway be engineered at Goodison Park.
