Fulham manager Marco Silva has announced he is to leave the English Premier League club amid reports he is set to take charge at Portuguese side Benfica.
Silva is reported to have entered talks with Benfica about replacing Jose Mourinho, who has been lined up for a second spell at Real Madrid.
The 48-year-old, whose contract expires this month, has not revealed his next destination, but is to depart Craven Cottage “this summer.”
Photo: Action Images via Reuters
Silva’s five-year reign with Fulham had made him the third longest-serving boss in the Premier League among current head coaches.
In an open letter to Fulham supporters, the Portuguese coach said: “To our fans, I asked you, from day one, to always be with us. And that’s what you did these past five years. We achieved a lot together.”
“My staff and I always felt your support. It will never be forgotten. Fulham will always be in my heart, and sooner or later I will be back at Craven Cottage,” he said.
Fulham owner Shahid Khan said the club would appoint “a new leader in a timely, but deliberate manner, who will meet the standards of our club and expectations of our fans throughout the world.”
Having previously managed Everton, Watford, Hull City, Olympiacos and Benfica’s local rivals Sporting Lisbon, Silva made an immediate impact in west London. He guided Fulham to the English Championship title in 2021-2022 to seal promotion to the Premier League.
Silva then secured a top-half finish in the following campaign before steering Fulham to their record Premier League points tally of 54 last year.
Fulham also reached the League Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history in 2024.
The Cottagers finished 11th in the Premier League this season, missing out on European qualification, while Benfica came third in the Portuguese top-flight under Mourinho.
“Marco Silva leaves our club with my gratitude and best wishes. Fulham and Marco were an excellent fit for five seasons, but change is inevitable in this game, and we’ve accordingly prepared for this moment,” Khan said. “The talent in our squad, our historic home ground of Craven Cottage, our faithful supporters, and my commitment to backing the club, all make Fulham an extraordinarily attractive destination for an incoming head coach.”
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