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Farhad Moshiri wants Carlo Ancelotti to build upon the platform Duncan Ferguson has created at Everton as interim manager and says the last four matches have been his most enjoyable during his four-year association with the club.

Ferguson remained unbeaten in the Premier League over three matches and also masterminded a spirited Carabao Cup fightback against Leicester City before eventually losing on penalties.

Ancelotti was in the stands alongside Moshiri to watch Ferguson preside over Saturday's draw with Arsenal but the Iranian asserted his appointment has nothing to do with the 'Hollywood' vision he expressed when landing Ronald Koeman in 2016.

“We have had managers from Wigan, Southampton and Watford and they’ve all had an impact, but now, we’ve invested heavily in our players, they're all internationals, so we think they’d benefit from someone of [Ancelotti's] pedigree," he told Talksport.

"It has nothing to do with Hollywood really. We have discovered Everton in the last two weeks. I've had my most enjoyable time with Duncan and feel really grateful to him

"This is the club. We need to keep this. That's the most valuable aspect of Everton. Not hollywood. This passion, the celebrations with fans and manager together. Carlo is a real football man.

"We hope with Duncan next to him we keep the passion and build on it."

Moshiri also offered sympathy to ex-manager Marco Silva after wielding the axe on his reign following a heavy defeat to rivals Liverpool at the beginning of December.

The billionaire believes new boss Ancelotti will be helped by his experience and will be wise to harness the power of a raucous Goodison Park.

"Look, Everton is a very, very difficult job in football," he said. "You have two home losses and will be disowned by fans. It's very hard.

"What we've noticed is for younger managers it's difficult to cope. You have the bad runs, you know, but I don't think the fans give you any time.

"The strength of Goodison is the passion of the fans. Once you lose that, you lose a lot.

"Silva was a very talented coach. When the Gods of football are not kind to you, what do you do?

"He lost six points through VAR and loses 70% of his midfield.

"A good general is a lucky one, that's the thing."

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