Everton coy amid Ancelotti speculation
EVERTON insisted yesterday they had yet to make a contract offer to a potential new manager after a report that Carlo Ancelotti had agreed “in principle” to take over at Goodison Park.
Sky Sports reported talks between the English Premier League club and the veteran Italian boss had “progressed well”.
But a statement issued by Everton later said: “In the 11 days since Marco Silva left the club, the Everton board has been working to recruit a new permanent manager – and has held meetings with a number of candidates.”
It added: “We can confirm that thus far no contract offer has been made and no candidate
Wequaliser lifted Crystal Palace up to ninth in the Premier League table as they shared the points in a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton yesterday.
Neal Maupay fired the visitors into a 54th-minute lead but Palace star Zaha drew the Eagles level against the Seagulls with a fine solo effort 15 minutes from time at Selhurst Park.
Palace have now moved above London rivals Arsenal in the table and Zaha was proud of the way his side stayed in the game against a Brighton team who had much the better of the play.
“It was a big game for both teams and I’m glad we got back in it – if you can’t win, don’t lose,” Zaha told Sky Sports.
Palace manager Roy Hodgson said Zaha, the second-most fouled player in the Premier League this season, has improved the mental side of his game after he kept his composure to score his sixth goal against the Seagulls.
“Wilf is doing extremely well mentally because things happen in the game – taunts from the crowd and little fouls off the ball – which he isn’t allowing to upset him as he might have done before,” said Hodgson, after Palace’s recovery extended their unbeaten run to four games
“It was an incredibly gusty performance, full of character and determination because when they took the lead you could not say it was unjust,” said Hodgson.
Hodgson added that he was trying to persuade the Premier League club’s American owners to release funds so that he can strengthen his has chosen to withdraw from the process.
“While the club is keen to confirm a new permanent manager as soon as possible, the only important duty is that the right appointment is made.”
Everton’s statement added that “while our process continues”, former striker Duncan Ferguson would remain as caretaker manager and be in charge for the Toffees’ League Cup quarterfinal against Leicester tomorrow (3.45am Malaysian time).
Ancelotti, 60, was himself dismissed as manager of Napoli last week despite taking the Italian club into the last 16 of the Champions League after they slipped to seventh in the Serie A table.
If he is appointed, it would mean Ancelotti was returning for a second spell in English football after a two-year stint at Chelsea from 2009-11 that yielded a Premier League and FA Cup ‘double’ for the London club in his first season in charge.
Ferguson took over after Silva was sacked on Dec 5 and promptly oversaw a moraleboosting 3-1 win over Chelsea before guiding Everton to a 1-1 draw away to Manchester United on Sunday.
The Scot, however, has distanced himself from taking the job on a full-time basis.
Everton are currently 16th in the 20-team Premier League, just three points above the relegation zone. – AFP