LONDON (AP) – Marco Silva is stepping down as Fulham manager. premier league The club was recognized by both teams on Tuesday after five years in charge.
The Lisbon-born player is reportedly being targeted by Portuguese giants Benfica to replace manager Jose Mourinho. There is speculation that he will return to Real Madrid..
“Fulham and Marko have had great chemistry for five seasons, but change is inevitable in this game and we have prepared for this moment accordingly,” owner Shahid Khan said, adding that the club was “a very attractive destination for the next head coach”.
“We will shortly appoint a new leader who will live up to the club’s standards and the expectations of our fans around the world in a timely and measured manner,” he said.
Silva led Fulham to the Second Division Championship title in his first season in 2021-22, securing promotion to the Premier League and maintaining their top-flight status ever since.
Fulham described him as a “fiercely passionate and tirelessly hard-working man” whose influence on the club will be remembered.
“I leave with the feeling that I was told when I first arrived: Fulham Football Club is family,” Silva wrote in an open letter to fans. “Fulham will always be in my heart and sooner or later I will be back at Craven Cottage.”
Widespread reports in Spain suggest that Mourinho is the front-runner to succeed Madrid manager Florentino Perez if the club’s manager is snapped up. upcoming presidential election.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
