Everton have appointed Carlo Ancelotti as their manager on a four-and-a-half-year contract. The Italian, who was sacked by Napoli earlier this month, succeeds Marco Silva, who was dismissed by the Goodison Park club on 6 December. Ancelotti, a three-time Champions League-winning coach, returns to English football eight and a half years after he was sacked by Chelsea.

“There’s a clear vision from the owner to deliver success,” he said. Everton announced Ancelotti’s arrival on Saturday before the home Premier League game against Arsenal, who appointed former Gunners and Toffees midfielder Mikel Arteta as their head coach on Friday. Ancelotti will officially take over on Sunday. The 60-year-old’s first match in charge will be the home game against Burnley on 26 December. “This is a great club with a rich history and a very passionate fanbase,” added former AC Milan, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain boss Ancelotti. “There is a clear vision from the owner and the board to deliver  trophies. That is something that appeals to me as a manager. “I am thrilled at the prospect of being able to work with everybody at the club to help make that vision a reality.”