Benfica appoint Marco Silva as Jose Mourinho’s successor | OneFootball

Benfica have confirmed the appointment of Marco Silva as their new head coach, with the Portuguese manager signing a two-year contract that includes the option of a further season.

The 48-year-old replaces José Mourinho, whose departure was announced earlier on Tuesday after Real Madrid formally expressed their intention to bring him back to the Santiago Bernabéu. Mourinho, who previously managed the Spanish giants between 2010 and 2013, is set for a second spell in charge following Florentino Pérez’s re-election as club president.

Benfica moved swiftly to secure Silva’s services, ending his five-year stay at Fulham. The Cottagers were keen to keep their manager and reportedly offered him a new contract, but Silva opted to return to Portuguese football after a decade in England.

His time in England included spells with Hull City, Watford and Everton, before taking Fulham back to the Premier League by winning the Championship in 2021/22. He then established the London club as a comfortable top-flight side, overseeing four consecutive mid-table finishes.

Silva now faces a different challenge at Benfica, who finished third in the Primeira Liga last season despite remaining unbeaten, ending up eight points behind champions Porto and two adrift of Sporting CP. His task will be to return the Eagles to the top of Portuguese football.