Chairman Bill Kenwright says Duncan Ferguson’s uplifting temporary reign has rejuvenated Everton – as the Chairman, Farhad Moshiri and Board look forward to the dawn of an exciting new era under “world-class” manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Italian Ancelotti was appointed Everton boss on Saturday morning, shortly before Ferguson completed his four-match stint with a 0-0 draw against Arsenal.

Former AC Milan and Real Madrid manager Ancelotti will be in charge for the first time when Everton welcome Burnley on Boxing Day.

He will take over a side which claimed five points from games against the heavyweight trio of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal on Ferguson’s watch.

And the Chairman lauded passionate Evertonian Ferguson for proving why he was first choice to fill the breach when the Blues started recruiting for a new manager 16 days ago.

“It’d hard for me to put into words the Duncan Ferguson era,” he told evertontv.

“I get emotional because I am an emotional chairman.

“He gave the Club and fans a reminder of what a privilege it is to be an Evertonian.

“He stands there and you go, ‘That’s what it is, that’s why I became an Evertonian when I was seven’.

“Mine was Dave Hickson, today it’s Duncan Ferguson.

“I don’t know anyone else who could have done it, who could have said, ‘We’re going to work now and show those fans [what it means to play for Everton], because he loves those fans as much as they love him’

“It’s not just a game to him, it’s Everton.

“I was speaking to his wife earlier and she said he lives, eats, sleeps and breathes this club.

“It couldn’t have been anyone else who’s done what he has for us.”

Ancelotti previously spent two seasons in England with Chelsea and won a Premier League and FA Cup double in his first campaign in charge in 2009/10.

The 60-year-old’s decorated stint at Stamford Bridge was reflective of a near 25-year managerial career filled with success.

He has won three Champions Leagues and domestic titles in four countries.

The Chairman sat beside Ancelotti during Everton’s meeting with Arsenal and recognised a man “already loving the Club”.

Everton undertook an exhaustive recruitment process before filling the Goodison Park post and the Chairman praised major shareholder Farhad Moshiri for targeting one of the best in the business.

“I have to take my hat off to Farhad… we interviewed a lot of people and Farhad was pushing for a world class manager,” said the Chairman.

“He wants this team to be where he's wanted it to be for three and a half years. He wants this club to be winning trophies.

“That is what he is here for. We want a world class manager to help us do that and to get us to this magnificent new stadium.

“Carlo's had a little bit of an Everton experience today. He's already loving the Club. You can't not feel the embrace of this club, can you?”

Former Everton striker Ferguson has worked on the Club’s first-team coaching staff since February 2014 and will continue in that role next to Ancelotti.

“It seems a great combination, doesn't it?,” added the Chairman. “And Carlo, like every manager, will bring in some of his own team.

"I'd heard a lot that this was a really good man we’ve got here and he is… a good straightforward human being, who will bring a lot to this football club.

“I think it's looking good. He will be the thinker and we've got Duncan's passion – his guys and our guys – with Marcel [Brands, Director of Football] in the middle, moulding it all together.

“What an extraordinary day. But, at the end of the day, it's Duncan's day.

“Everyone at Everton is excited. I just wish every Evertonian, all over the world, the happiest Christmas and let's look forward to a terrific new year.”