Fulham manager Marco Silva agrees deal to become new Benfica coach | OneFootball

Marco Silva is set to leave Fulham after agreeing a deal to become Benfica's new manager.

Silva's current contract is due to expire in the summer and the 48-year-old is set to leave Fulham in favour of a return to Portugal.

Benfica have reached an agreement for Silva to become the club's new manager, withFabrizio Romano revealing that a contract is in place that will run until June 2028, with the option for a further season.

Silva has opted to take a reduced salary to leave thePremier League for Lisbon, given the opportunity to challenge for trophies at Benfica.

It's Silva's first managerial role in his home country since leaving Sporting CP in 2015. He replaces Jose Mourinho, who is due to depart the Estádio da Luz to return to Real Madrid.

Silva inherits a Benfica team who finished third in the Primeira Liga last season, despite completing the entire league season without defeat. Benfica drew 11 times in the league to finish behind champions Porto and runners-up Sporting.

He leaves Fulham after five seasons in West London, in which he led the Cottagers to promotion to thePremier League and consolidation as a top-flight team.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is the current favourite to become the next Fulham boss, with Thomas Frank and Oliver Glasner also linked with the role.