Duncan Ferguson has had his say on the sacking of Rafa Benitez and revealed a phone call with Carlo Ancelotti this week.
Everton relieved Benitez of his duties following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Norwich City last weekend, rounding off a dismal run of results.
The search for a new permanent manager is underway, with Ferguson taking over his second caretaker spell at the helm.
And the former Blues striker has revealed what his reaction was to the sacking of his predecessor, admitting he wasn't too shocked given the run of results the side had been on.
He told his pre-Aston Villa press conference: "I mean look, the results were there weren't they?
"We weren't too surprised, I think. I don't think even Rafa will have been too surprised.
"We were on a bad run, so I think the results speak for themselves.
"I don't think I want to go back to that [past problems this season] really.
"You'd have to speak to the previous manager about his thoughts on that. That's in the past, for me I want to leave that and move into the future."
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Benitez took over from Carlo Ancelotti in the summer after the Italian's surprise decision to return to Real Madrid.
Ferguson had a close relationship with Ancelotti and admitted he had received a phone call from him in the wake of being appointed caretaker boss once again.
"Carlo was a fantastic manager, I learned a lot from the man," he added.
"He was a great manager, a great tactician, he was great with the lads, a great man-manager.
"He was a real inspiration to me and he had the team flying at one point, it was just the back end of the season we tailed off a little bit.
"I learned a lot from Carlo, I've already spoken to Carlo - he called me actually.
"He's a great guy, an unbelievable manager, so of course I've learned a lot from him."
Speaking of what Everton need to find in their next permanent manager, Ferguson had no doubts.
"We need a winning manager don't we? That's it," he remarked.
"We need a manager that can come into the club and win games of football, build something, and get us back up the league.
"That's what the owners will be looking for, a successful manager that can get Everton to win football matches. It's about winning."
