Carlo Ancelotti has paid tribute to “the legend” Howard Kendall after watching the acclaimed film which celebrates the glorious Everton team shaped by the Blues’ greatest manager.

The deeply insightful Howard’s Way documentary tells the story of the Everton side which achieved domestic and European glory during the mid-1980s.

Ancelotti also saluted the gesture from the film’s producer, Phil Brown, who has pledged to give all proceeds from Howard’s Way to the Club’s pioneering People’s Place campaign.

The initiative will see a £1million dedicated mental health facility built close to Goodison Park.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS OF HOW TO WATCH HOWARD'S WAY

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE PEOPLE'S PLACE

Ancelotti revealed his pride in being part of a Club with such deep roots in the community, while declaring he will strive to emulate the standards set by Everton Giant Kendall, who would have been 74 tomorrow.

“It was really nice to see the film Howard’s Way and get to know the history of the Club and the history of this legend, Howard Kendall,” Ancelotti said.

“This is the goal that I have here at Everton, to try to be a good manager like Howard Kendall.

“The most important part of this documentary is that the money goes to the community.

“The Club is working really hard in the community.

“I’m really proud of this, of the Club, for what it’s doing for the people.”

While Kendall’s Everton team were excelling at home and on the continent, cultured midfielder Ancelotti was competing at the top end of European football for Roma.

He was an integral part of the team that won Serie A in 1983 and reached the European Cup final one year later. He also lifted four Coppa Italia titles with the capital club.

Ancelotti’s eight-year spell at Stadio Olimpico came to an end in 1987 - when he left for AC Milan - and the Italian outlined how Everton earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most feared sides during his later seasons with Roma.

Between 1984-87, the Blues won two league championships, an FA Cup and a European Cup Winners’ Cup.

“At the time, I was playing for Roma,” Ancelotti explained.

“Of course, we were looking at the [best] European teams and Everton was one of them.

“In ‘85 they played the Cup Winners’ Cup final and won and I think at that time the English teams were what we were looking at [as our main competitors], so Everton was one of them.

“Last week, we celebrated the 35th anniversary of Everton’s Cup Winners’ Cup victory and I hope one day to bring the team to another final.”

Ancelotti has been a keen participant in Everton’s Blue Family campaign, which was launched in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic to provide support to the most isolated and vulnerable members of society.

To date, the initiative has seen almost 4,000 check-in phone calls made from staff, players and Club Ambassadors to check on individuals’ wellbeing, provide a friendly voice to chat to and offer support where needed.

More than 1,300 emergency food parcels and food vouchers have been distributed, while £15,000 of produce has been donated to North Liverpool Foodbanks and Fans Supporting Foodbanks by USM Finch Farm.

“I had a phone call with a supporter called Mark and it was really nice to talk to him,” Ancelotti added.

“So, we are really involved.

“Not only me, but the players, the Board, our Chairman…

“We try to do something to support the people who need it as it’s a difficult moment.”

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS OF HOW TO WATCH HOWARD'S WAY

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE PEOPLE'S PLACE