Marco Silva ‘next’ for Fulham exit to big club
Fulham boss Marco Silva will be the next manager to move to a big club thanks to his team’s performances, according to Kris Boyd.
Since joining the Whites in 2021, the Portuguese manager has re-established the West London club in the Premier League, having previously gained a reputation as a “yo-yo” team.
Promotions and relegations became a regular feature at Craven Cottage, but the former Everton man has made a habit of getting the best out of players other clubs have been happy to move on from, such as Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez, and Willian who re-joined Fulham in January.
The Whites are now on course for their third successive season in top-flight football, and find themselves challenging for European qualification, whilst also being in an FA Cup quarter-final.
Fulham‘s excellent progression has not gone unnoticed, and Silva is now being considered by some bigger clubs.
Fulham manager Marco Silva ‘deserves a lot of credit’
Ange Postecoglou is coming under increasing pressure in North London, and Marco Silva has been identified as a potential replacement at Tottenham.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, former Rangers star, Boyd, joined a growing number of voices singing the praises of the Portuguese manager.
The former Scotland international highlighted the squad-building and style of play at Craven Cottage, saying (2.52pm): “They’ve got ball-carriers, and away from home they’re quite happy to defend, but when you look at them they’ve got people who will get on the ball and get them up the pitch, create opportunities for them.
“I think the manager deserves a lot of credit. We always speak about managers and that next move to a bigger club. He could be the next one.”
Despite the recent form Silva’s side were controversially beaten at the death by Brighton on 8 March thanks to a penalty won by Joao Pedro fooling the referee.
Marco Silva sheds mercenary reputation after Fulham success
Football Insider Verdict
Whilst Silva can sometimes be a fiery character, his overwhelming personality trait is undoubtedly a burning desire to be successful.
However, the Portuguese manager has taken time to figure out what success can mean, and how to achieve it.
Having flown up the European managerial ladder early in his career, Silva moved from Hull City, to Watford, and then to Everton, in under two years.
It was clear the former Olympiacos man wanted to go as high as he possibly could, and it didn’t matter which team he got there with.
| Marco Silva managerial career | Date | Win percentage |
| Fulham | 2021 – Present | 44.77% |
| Everton | 2018 – 2019 | 40.00% |
| Watford | 2017 – 2018 | 30.77% |
| Hull City | 2017 – 2017 | 36.36% |
| Olympiacos | 2015 – 2016 | 79.17% |
| Sporting CP | 2014 – 2015 | 58.49% |
| Estoril | 2011 – 2014 | 46.55% |
But it all backfired for Silva, when his time at Everton petered out, in large part thanks to a Covid-disrupted season, but also for the manner in which he had joined the club, with the Toffees having to pay £4million to Watford for an unwarranted approach, that led to “significant deterioration in both focus and results to the point where the long-term future of Watford FC has been jeopardised”.
Following a two-year break from management, Silva joined a Fulham team that had just been relegated for the second time in three years.
With the Whites, the ex-Watford manager has taken his time with the project in West London, dutifully repairing and rebuilding a squad that was low on confidence.
Should Silva move on, he will leave behind a stable Premier League side, ready for more success, rather than one that is reeling from a surprise departure.