Everton: Carlo Ancelotti ‘a massive coup’ but is he right for Toffees?

This has been the burning question since Ancelotti’s arrival at Everton was first suggested, and has led to an outbreak of genuine anger among many fans who feel those questioning the appointment were telling the club to know their place.

Quite simply, Everton have appointed the best, most successful man available for the job. How can they be criticised for that?

It carries risks, but so would the retrograde step of reappointing David Moyes, favoured for a time by some in the Goodison Park boardroom, or even Mikel Arteta, appointed by Arsenal on Friday but who also had admirers at Everton.

Few managers come with a guarantee these days.

Ancelotti is football royalty, one of only three men to lift Europe’s elite trophy three times, alongside Liverpool’s Bob Paisley and Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane.

His appointment instantly gives Everton global relevance.

He may be understated but Ancelotti’s achievements at AC Milan – where he won the Champions League in 2003 and 2007, although he was also in charge for Liverpool’s famous comeback in Istanbul in 2005 – make him box office.

The debate around his suitability for Everton is a valid one, but it is hard to question or criticise owner Farhad Moshiri for pulling off this undoubted coup.

It is a show of ambition by Moshiri. He has handed Ancelotti a lucrative long-term contract and will also back him heavily in the transfer market. It could light up Goodison Park.

Moshiri’s reign has been disappointing so far, but he deserves huge credit for refusing to accept second best when such an outstanding candidate suddenly appeared on the market at the same time he was seeking a new manager.

Moshiri has always wanted a ‘Hollywood’ manager with the reputation and successes of Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.

Now Everton have one. And it can only be cause for optimism.