Carlo Ancelotti is linked with Everton and Arsenal after Napoli axe

Carlo Ancelotti has been sacked by Napoli and speculation was swift to link him to Premier League clubs Everton and Arsenal.

Sky Sports, quoting its sister company in Italy, said that the Toffees “will begin contract talks” with Ancelotti this week but the Gunners are “also interested”.

It’s believed that former Everton boss David Moyes could return to Goodison Park in what Sky Sports describes as “an interim role”, while a new permanent manager is sourced.

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That is contrary to rumours at the weekend that suggested Moyes would only accept a permanent position at the club he managed for 11 years until 2013.

Vitor Pereira, who was the favourite to replace Marco Silva at the Everton helm, ruled himself out of the job on Tuesday morning.

Fired after 4-0 win

Napoli fired Ancelotti an hour after he had guided the club to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 4-0 home win against Genk.

It was the Italian outfit’s first win in ten matches but not one that prevented his dismissal.

“Napoli has decided to revoke the role of first-team coach from Mr Carlo Ancelotti,” said a club statement.

“The rapport of friendship, admiration and reciprocal respect between the club, its president [Aurelio De Laurentiis] and Carlo Ancelotti remain intact.”

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Respected by Lampard

Sky Sports claims that Arsenal are “considering Ancelotti” and the north London club will have taken note of the ringing endorsement he received from Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who played under the Italian at Stamford Bridge.

“I’ve got huge respect for him,” said Lampard, who was speaking after Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

“He’s always handled himself brilliantly. I think he can manage anywhere in the world at the top level, of course.”

Too big for Arsenal

One person who thinks Ancelotti and Arsenal aren’t the right fit is pundit Graeme Souness.

“Would the big managers take Arsenal at the moment? I’m not so sure,” he told Virgin Sport Media.

“I think [Ancelotti] is a big manager and if you look at the jobs he’s had - Real Madrid, PSG, Chelsea - you know Arsenal are a fabulous club, but right now it’s a difficult job, whoever gets it… I don’t think the next man at Arsenal is going to be the one to turn the corner for them.

“I think there’s a lot of work to be done there, especially with those players.”

Today’s back pages

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