Marco Silva’s Fulham alternative as Arne Slot and ex-Chelsea boss in operating
Marco Silva will leave his role as Fulham head coach this summer, the Premier League club have announced, as several names are already in the running to takeover at Craven Cottage
Marco Silva and the man who could replace him at Craven Cottage, according to bookies
Fulham are currently on the lookout for a new manager after head coach Marco Silva confirmed he will leave the club this month.
Silva not revealed his next destination, but the 48-year-old has been heavily linked with Portuguese giants Benfica. His five-year tenure had made Silva the third longest serving boss in the Premier League, and fifth longest in the top four divisions.
However, Fulham now have the difficult time of trying to replace Silva with bookmakers already having an odds on favourite to be in the dugout at Craven Cottage in August.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, who gained promotion back to the Premier League with Ipswich, is currently favourite to take the job with odds of 10/3 with some bookies. It is unknown whether McKenna wants another crack at England’s top league with Ipswich following relegation during their last one year stint.
Fulham may upset certain fans with the next two frontrunners having both manged local rivals. Former Brentford boss Thomas Frank is also one of the frontrunners at 4/1 but his time at Fulham’s local rivals may prove an unpopular choice for both sets of supporters.
Former Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior is 6/1 with some bookies following a disappointing spell at Stamford Bridge. However, Rosenior is also an ex-Fulham player and could be given time by fans despite managing Chelsea. Shockingly, Sky Bet have nearly sacked Arne Slot at the same price as Rosenior at 6/1.
In an open letter to Fulham 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.
“My staff and I always felt your support. It will never be forgotten. Fulham will always be in my heart, and sooner or later I will be back at Craven Cottage.”
Silva’s potential move to Benfica, who finished third in the Portuguese top flight this season, would see him replace Jose Mourinho, who is widely reported to be on his way back to Real Madrid for a second spell.
It has also been reported that Mourinho’s official appointment could be delayed by upcoming presidential elections at Real this weekend.
In a statement, Fulham owner Shahid Khan said the club will 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 guided the Cottagers to their first league title in 21 years when they won the Championship in 2021-22, his first season, to seal promotion back to the Premier League, then secured a top-half finish in the following campaign.
Silva also steered Fulham to their record Premier League points tally, 54 in 2025, as well as four quarter-finals across domestic cup competitions, taking them all the way to the Carabao Cup semi-finals in 2024.
Khan added: “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.”
