Nah. If a team survived relegation on 37 points, but was relegated the following season on 39 points - it wouldn't be seen as progress would it?
Points determine league position.
League position determines success.
League position is the benchmark.
For all the fanfare, for all the adulation - Ancelotti was a failure. I was his biggest advocate because Ancelotti had the credentials to give confidence he'd get it right in time and I knew there wasn't a better alternative to come in, but he bailed early and that dictated his Everton legacy to be one of unquestionable failure.
The benchmark he set was 10th.
Over the course of a full season, he delivered woeful football with negative goal difference and managed to outperform Aston Villa, Newcastle, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Brighton, Burnley, Fulham, West Brom and Sheffield United.
Any manager, finishing below 10th with this Everton squad should be sacked.
If Benitez finishes higher than 10th, he outperformed Ancelotti.