Carlo Ancelotti says managing Everton at Goodison Park on Boxing Day will be “like the first day of school” – and the Club’s new manager is aiming for a performance against Burnley bubbling with energy and speed.

Italian Ancelotti has encountered a “focussed and positive” squad in his opening two training sessions at USM Finch Farm.

He watched the Blues draw with Arsenal on Saturday from Goodison’s Main Stand and went home convinced the intensity of Evertonians' support is a substantial factor in his side's favour.

Ancelotti boasts an enviable resume and is one of only three men to win the Champions League three times as a manager.

But he made no attempt to disguise his joy over the prospect of stepping out of the Goodison tunnel to begin his reign in earnest as the Club's 18th boss on Thursday.

“It is really exciting, like the first day of school,” Ancelotti told evertontv.

“It is a new experience for me.

“I have received a lot of support in these past days from the Club, from the supporters I met at the hotel and in the city.

“But I am really focussed on the game and would like for the team to play fantastic football.

“It is important [for me] to know the culture and tradition and history of the Club. The fact the atmosphere in the stadium can help the team play better and be stronger.

“The experience I had from Saturday [watching Everton against Arsenal] was the fact the stadium can help you keep a high tempo in the game.”

Ancelotti’s new team has claimed five points from their past three Premier League games, drawing with Manchester United and Arsenal following a home victory over Chelsea.

He will hit the ground running back in the Premier League more than eight years after leaving Chelsea, with Everton due at Newcastle United two days after facing Burnley and taking on Manchester City away three days later.

With limited time on the training field, then, Ancelotti has concentrated on retaining all the positive elements of Everton’s recent displays, while steadily introducing his own ideas.

Equally, the 60-year-old, who will be without injured pair Alex Iwobi and Morgan Schneiderlin against Burnley, is banishing thoughts of Newcastle and City for the time being.

“I had a good impression of the players, they have trained well,” added Ancelotti.

“They were focussed. We don’t have a lot of time to get to know each other but the most important thing is to prepare well for the game against Burnley.

“We have recovered some players from injury.

“The atmosphere is good and positive and I hope we are going to play a great game.

“We are trying to play the best football possible… with a lot of intensity, to be aggressive and try to win the ball early.

“This is the style of football we want to play.

“We will try to do this in the game against Burnley."

He added: “We will have the support of our fans, so I am sure we will play with a lot of intensity.

“The players are focussed on what we want to do and positive.

“I am happy today.”