Lee Carsley believes David Moyes will not rest until he has established Everton as a top-four club in the Barclays Premier League.
And hard-running midfielder Carsley insists Toffees boss Moyes is "going places" as a manager.
Carsley, who may still yet opt to sign a new deal at Goodison Park, was talking in the wake of Everton clinching fifth place and UEFA Cup qualification on Sunday.
Carsley, 34, will soon be out of contract and has yet to decide whether to stay on Merseyside, with his family still living in the midlands.
But the Republic of Ireland international is rightly proud of Everton's achievements during his time at the club.
He said: "When I think about the expectation levels when I first joined this club, the gaffer has changed that completely.
"We are now seen as a top-six club. And he is not going to be happy until we are seen as a top-four club.
"As many players as possible should get into his slipstream because the gaffer is going places. He is a fantastic, top manager."
Everton have secured European qualification in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 30 years.
And Carsley feels they would not have been out of place in Wednesday's UEFA Cup final against Rangers at the City of Manchester stadium.
Everton only went out of the competition on penalties, having beaten Fiorentina 2-0 in a memorable last-16 second leg in March.
Carsley thinks Everton have improved since their shattering exits from the Champions League and UEFA Cup three years ago.
He said: "We have come such a long way since our first appearance in the Champions League three years ago. We were embarrassed then.
"To go out then from Europe how we did was distressing, so to come as far as we have done since then has been just great. We have beaten Zenit St Petersburg, who are in the UEFA Cup final, and we have beaten Fiorentina.
"And if Rangers were in front of us now, we would beat them as well."
On his own future, Carsley is still undecided, saying: "I'm hoping to be here again next season, I will speak to the gaffer in a week or so.
"He may want to bring in three or four midfielders, that is the key. Not one players is more important than the team and if I went, someone else would come in and do just as good.
"Leaving Everton is not a decision I would make lightly. I have loved it here and I think the fans have loved having me here.
"I have also been successful here, which helps. Out of the seven seasons I have been here, four times we have been in the top seven.
"That has a big bearing on what happens to me now in the summer.
"We have finished one place better than the previous season, and that is tough in such a competitive league. But, next season, we will want fourth, have no doubts about that.
"Our next stage is to be parading around our pitch with a trophy. We put a lot of effort into the Carling Cup and Europe this term and we almost achieved something.
"We have finished fifth and we haven't got a medal. We have just assured ourselves of European football next season, we want more.
"The gaffer keeps saying that I have got better season on season. But he has brought in better players and I have a role in the team that is not complicated.
"My team mates appreciate what I do for the team. It is not the most glamorous role but it is an important one that I enjoy."
