Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has hailed manager David Moyes for transforming the Goodison Park club - and persuading him not to walk away.
The Toffees beat Manchester United on penalties on Sunday to set up an FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 30 and Kenwright believes Moyes is the reason things are looking up.
He told BBC Radio Five Live: "When David arrived I never looked at the first game of the season, I looked at the last to see who we had to beat to avoid the 'r' word (relegation). We've had Wayne Rooney leaving and no money every season - but now we're up there and I think you can truly say now we are a top-six club again."
Kenwright added: "You need a friend to talk to, someone who'll lift you when you're down.
"I've been in situations when I've thought I can't go on and he's said 'don't leave, the players and I will miss you. Come on, we'll do this together'.
"I think he is the greatest manager in the world bar none but he's my best friend in football and I'd do anything for him.
"When you see him looking up (into a stand) with that clenched fist he's looking at me saying 'look where we've got to'."
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