Everton have confirmed that Duncan Ferguson will remain in the dugout for Saturday's Premier League meeting with Arsenal.
The news comes as the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as Marco Silva's permanent successor draws closer.
Ferguson has taken charge of Everton's last three games, starting with a 3-1 win over Chelsea at Goodison Park on December 7.
The club's former centre-forward also oversaw a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford as well as Wednesday night's Carabao Cup exit on penalties to Leicester City.
Everton fought from 2-0 down at Goodison to level the match with Brendan Rodgers' side at 2-2 forcing spot-kicks.
🚀 | This goal deserved more than what happened next... 😢
Leighton Baines. Still got it. 💙 pic.twitter.com/epTkT1u6ur— Everton (@Everton) December 19, 2019
Talks with Ancelotti over the prospect of him replacing the sacked Silva have been ongoing in London with Everton's majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri at the coal face.
The Daily Mail report that the finer details of Ancelotti's appointment have been ironed out, and the 60-year old will be watching the Arsenal game from the Goodison Park stands.
Three-time Champions League winner Ancelotti is expected to be assisted at Everton by his son Davide, as well as Ferguson.
Despite Ancelotti's record of high-profile club management, veteran Italian football journalist Paddy Agnew told Off The Ball he feels the former Juventus, Bayern Munich and Chelsea manager has the tools to succeed on Merseyside.
Agnew told The Football Show of Ancelotti's sudden Napoli exit that the 60-year old would be thinking, "'Ok, rather than sitting around licking my wounds and thinking about what might have been, I’ll just take this offer from Everton that’s come my way.’”
Ancelotti is unlikely to be the only new manager watching Saturday's game at Goodison from the stands.
Talks between Arsenal and Manchester City have been ongoing regarding a compensation package for Mikel Arteta.
It's reported that prising the Spaniard away from the Etihad will cost Arsenal £2m, with a three-and-a-half year contract waiting for him in North London.
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