Sacked Sporting boss favourite to succeed José Mourinho at Benfica | OneFootball

Marco Silva is the leading candidate to take over as Benfica’s head coach. The possibility of José Mourinho heading to Real Madrid has gained momentum in recent days, with both parties already discussing the terms of a possible agreement for the coming seasons.

Rui Costa and Mário Branco do not want to be caught off guard and have moved forward with exploratory contacts. The former Sporting coach is a name that has long enjoyed consensus within Benfica’s hierarchy. The Fulham manager has been liked by Benfica’s board since the days of Luís Filipe Vieira and regained momentum after Roger Schmidt’s departure.

His close relationship with Mário Branco, with whom he worked at Estoril, further strengthens the Portuguese coach’s candidacy for the bench at the Luz. Another factor considered important has to do with his contractual situation. Marco Silva’s contract with Fulham expires at the end of the season and, for that reason, he appears more attainable for Benfica than in previous years.

Although he is the top target, the coach’s response leaves everything open. He wants a solid project and a long-term contract, while also knowing that other opportunities may arise in England, including a possible approach from Chelsea.

It is worth recalling that Marco Silva managed Sporting’s first team in the 2014/15 season, taking charge of 53 matches, winning 31, drawing 15 and losing seven. At the end of the campaign, in which he won a Portuguese Cup, the Portuguese coach was sacked by Bruno de Carvalho.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.