Official: Marco Silva Leaves Fulham After Five Transformative Years At Craven Cottage

Fulham FC confirmed that Marco Silva will leave his role as Head Coach at Fulham this summer. Fulham coach Marco Silva will be leaving the club this summer after a five-year stint at Craven Cottage.

Marco Silva is set to take over as Benfica head coach after his exit from Fulham was confirmed. He would succeed Jose Mourinho at the Estadio da Luz, who is set to replace Álvaro Arbeloa in a sensational return to Real Madrid.

Shahid Khan’s Official Farewell Statement

Fulham owner Shahid Khan said: “Marco Silva leaves our club with my gratitude and best wishes. Fulham and Marco were an excellent fit for five seasons, but change is inevitable in this game, and we’ve accordingly prepared for this moment. The talent in our squad, our historic home ground of Craven Cottage, our faithful supporters, and my commitment to backing the club, all make Fulham an extraordinarily attractive destination for an incoming head coach.”

“We will soon appoint a new leader in a timely but deliberate manner, who will meet the standards of our club and expectations of our fans throughout the world.”

Silva’s Open Letter To Fulham Fans: Every Word Counted

In an open letter to Fulham’s supporters, Silva said: “To our fans – I asked you, from day one, to always be with us. And that’s what you did these past five years. We achieved a lot together.”

“To our fans — I asked you, from day one, to always be with us. And that’s what you did these past five years. We achieved a lot together. My staff and I always felt your support. It will never be forgotten.”

“I leave with a feeling I was told when I first arrived – that Fulham Football Club is a family. Fulham will always be in my heart, and sooner or later I will be back at Craven Cottage.”

Why Silva Left: Contract Negotiations That Broke Down

Silva’s future had been up in the air all season with negotiations over a new contract stalling. After rejecting Fulham’s final offer, he is now reportedly on the verge of returning to his homeland of Portugal to become Benfica manager.

“This was news that was becoming more and more inevitable with the silence that has been there since the last game of the season against Newcastle. In the build-up to that final game, Marco Silva said he’d make a final decision as to whether to sign a new contract.”

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The Benfica Destination Confirmed

An agreement has been reached on a three-year deal plus an optional year until 2029 to become Jose Mourinho’s replacement at the Lisbon club.

Sources had told ESPN Brasil that Silva is Benfica’s top choice as manager and is likely to replace the departing José Mourinho. He is set to be offered a two-year deal with an option for a third at Benfica, per sources.

Five Seasons That Permanently Changed Fulham

Silva has held the role for five years, which has made him the third longest-serving boss in the Premier League, and fifth longest in the Football League — a spell which was laden with success.

Silva oversaw the club’s promotion to the Premier League in his first season in charge, securing their first league title in 21 years in the process. He proceeded to establish Fulham’s place in the top flight in subsequent years with the club finishing mid-table in each of the last four years. They posted 54 points in 2024-25, their highest tally in the Premier League.

They were in the running to qualify for Europe this season, but fell away towards the end to finish in 11th place.

Season-By-Season Record Under Silva

He leaves the club having re-established them as a Premier League side, topping the Championship to earn promotion in 2021/22 before bucking Fulham’s recent trend of going straight back down by securing a 10th-place finish the following season. Silva went on to lead the Whites to three further mid-table finishes, breaking the club’s record Premier League points tally when they racked up 54 in 2024/25.

Marco Silva’s Fulham Record Season By Season

What Silva Built At Fulham: Beyond The League Table

Having twice previously gone straight back down following promotion, Fulham comfortably secured a top-half finish in 2022/23 — a campaign that provided fans with their first victory over Chelsea in 17 years. Earning a reputation as a head coach who was excellent at getting the best out of players, Silva led the Whites to three further mid-table finishes in the subsequent seasons. His time at the helm has also seen the club break their record Premier League points tally when the team accrued 54 in 2025, while he also led them to four Quarter-Finals across both domestic cup competitions, including a first-ever appearance in the Carabao Cup Semi-Finals.

Silva’s Key Fulham Milestones

Who Replaces Silva? McKenna The Clear Frontrunner

Sky Sports News understands Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna is expected to be high on the list of potential candidates to succeed Silva, although no candidates have been contacted. The compensation needed to appoint him from Ipswich would be in the region of £8m after guiding the club back to the Premier League for the second time.

Fulham owner Shahid Khan revealed the club has prepared for Silva’s departure and will replace him soon.

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Marco Silva’s Full Coaching Career At A Glance

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