News Focus
- Marco Silva ends his five-year stay at Fulham to join Benfica
- The Portuguese coach signs a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year
- He succeeds Jose Mourinho at the Lisbon-based club
- Silva guided Fulham from the Championship to consistent Premier League status
- Fulham’s owner confirms the search for a new manager is underway
Portuguese manager Marco Silva has officially departed Fulham after spending half a decade at the west London club. The 48-year-old has now agreed to take charge of Benfica, the Lisbon giants where he will replace former Chelsea and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.
Silva has signed an agreement that runs for three years, with the possibility of extending it by another twelve months. This deal will keep him at the Estádio da Luz until the summer of 2029. His move to Portugal follows the end of his time at Fulham, where his contract was set to finish this summer.
During his spell at Craven Cottage, Silva enjoyed remarkable success. He began by winning promotion from the Championship in the 2021-22 campaign. He then spent four seasons establishing the club in England’s top flight, achieving finishes of tenth, thirteenth, and two consecutive eleventh-place positions.
Speaking about his exit, Silva expressed deep gratitude to the supporters. He stated that he requested their backing from his first day in charge, and they delivered throughout his time as manager. He added that the connection with the fans will remain strong, and he hopes to return to the stadium in the future.
Shahid Khan, the owner of Fulham, thanked Silva for his contributions and acknowledged that change is part of football. He explained that the club has planned for this transition and will carefully select a new head coach. Khan highlighted the club’s talented squad, historic ground, and loyal fan base as key attractions for potential candidates.
The announcement follows weeks of speculation. Silva had indicated he would decide his future by the final match against Newcastle United, but days passed without confirmation. Observers note that his achievement of maintaining Premier League status on a modest budget marks a remarkable chapter for the club.