Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin admits Carlo Ancelotti's resignation surprised him.
Calvert-Lewin has lifted the lid on his reaction to Ancelotti leaving Everton last month, revealing the two have exchanged text messages since the Italian's shock return to Real Madrid.
“It came as a surprise but I wouldn't say it's been a distraction," Calvert-Lewin told reporters. “It happened a few weeks ago now and it's not been something that's really been too much on my mind.
“I sent Carlo a message thanking him for everything he had done for me and he replied, and that's kind of how football works. One minute one thing is one way, the next it's not.
“It was a personal conversation so I probably won't share that information (what Ancelotti replied), but he was just wishing me all the best really."
He continued: “Carlo was very good for me and I'm very grateful to have been able to play under him with the experience that he's got.
“The biggest thing was Carlo came in and said to me was to just be more focused on being a centre-forward.
“I used to kind of run here, there and everywhere and do too much outside of the box, so he set us up in a way that suited me and I could get in better positions to score goals.
“I think it is an age and experience thing as well. I was 22 or 23 when he came in and I'm 24 now. I'm at that age, with the experience I've had, it's been a time of coming together."
