Agreement with Benfica
©IMAGO
Fulham FC and its coach Marco Silva are going their separate ways after five years. The 48-year-old Portuguese will not extend his expiring contract with the eleventh-placed team from the previous Premier League season. According to consistent media reports, Silva is about to sign with Benfica Lisbon, where he will be the successor to José Mourinho, who is likely to move to Real Madrid. An agreement has been reached, reports Fabrizio Romano.
Fulham is said to have offered Silva a new contract, but the coach has other plans: a return to his home country. Silva last coached Sporting there in 2014/15. He then continued his career abroad with Olympiakos Piraeus, Hull City, Watford, Everton and most recently Fulham. In the English upper house, only Pep Guardiola (Man City) and Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) have been in office longer than Silva.
Fulham club boss Shahid Khan said: “Marco Silva leaves our club with my gratitude and best wishes. Fulham and Marco were a great fit for five seasons, but change is inevitable in this sport and we have prepared accordingly for this moment.” Regarding the succession plan, he said: “We will soon appoint a new coach in a timely but thoughtful manner who will meet the standards of our club and the expectations of our fans around the world.” Silva had led the Cottagers back to the Premier League in 2022 as Championship champions.