Former Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has now spent the last four years away from Merseyside, but he cannot stop thinking about his time there.
Everton are back looking like a side who are capable of pushing for something this season under manager David Moyes.
Three big points at the weekend saw the Toffees rise to fifth place by the end of play on Saturday evening.
Moyes wants Everton to push for Europe this season, which is something the Blues have not even thought about for years.
Everton’s last top half finish came under Ancelotti on the back of his first full season at the club, before he moved back to join Real Madrid.
Duncan Ferguson took his seat alongside Ancelotti in the dugout, with the Italian now sharing what he truly thought of the former Everton striker.
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What Carlo Ancelotti said about Duncan Ferguson
The Scot has helped out a lot of people on Merseyside through his connection with the club.
Ross Barkley revealed Ferguson would take him home after training and even come in for a cup of tea after doing so.
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It cannot be understated how highly Ferguson is rated at Everton and Ancelotti is another who also holds him in such high esteem.
“We spent a good time with Duncan. One year and a half,” Ancelotti told TNT Sports.
“He’s a good man, isn’t he?” McCoist asked.
“Oh, a really good man. A character,” the Italian replied.
Ancelotti also praised Moyes as he promised to visit the Hill Dickinson Stadium one day having seen just how good it looks to the television.
His time on Merseyside may have been brief, but it is clear that Everton left a lasting impression on Ancelotti.
And perhaps nobody made a bigger impression than Ferguson.
Everton fans would warmly welcome Ancelotti to the Hill Dickinson Stadium
Ahead of the weekend’s game against Nottingham Forest, Sean Dyche requested a warm welcome from Everton fans.
And he got just that, but he was sent home disappointed from his first visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Does Dyche deserve to be applauded?
Everton fans cheer Dyche as he arrives to the Hill Dickinson Stadium
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There would be no question what type of reception that Ancelotti would receive upon his visit to the new stadium.
Ancelotti paid tribute to Goodison Park when the Toffees vacated the Old Lady earlier in the year.
Despite returning to Real Madrid and, more recently, taking up the job with the Brazil national side, it is clear that Ancelotti has not forgotten about his time on Merseyside.
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