With José Mourinho looking ever more likely to return to Real Madrid, Benfica have identified the Fulham boss as their lead candidate
Fulham head coach Marco Silva has emerged as the frontrunner to replace José Mourinho at Benfica, with the legendary manager widely tipped for a return to Real Madrid.
Silva’s contract with Fulham expires this summer, and has been linked with a number of top jobs in the Premier League. Among those reportedly interested in Silva were Chelsea but, having just announced Xabi Alonso as their new manager, that option is no longer a possibility.
Now, reports in Portugal claim that Benfica are actively looking for a new manager due to Mourinho’s imminent departure, and have made Silva their top target.
A Bola report that contacts have been made with Silva, and that a deal could be wrapped up by early next week if things go to plan. However, they also write that Fulham have made an appealing final offer to keep their current coach, one that is both lucrative financially but also hands Silva more power in regards to decision-making over transfers.
Benfica have offered Silva an exciting project and, potentially crucially, he would be working under general manager Mário Branco, with whom he enjoyed a successful time at Estoril.
Suggested Articles
For now, Fulham are hopeful they can persuade Silva of signing a new deal, with a decision expected to be announced either way after the final game of the Premier League season this Sunday.
Benfica, under José Mourinho, managed to go the whole league season undefeated, but were ultimately beaten to the title by FC Porto.
Mourinho is now expected to take over at Real Madrid once again, with Florentino Perez seeing the iron-fisted veteran as the antidote to the broken changing room at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
That presents Silva the opportunity to return to his homeland at one of the biggest clubs, with a reputation bolstered after an overall successful period in England, coaching Hull City, Watford, Everton and Fulham.
