Marco Silva leaves Fulham after five years as head coach

Marco Silva is leaving his role as Fulham head coach when his contract expires at the end of June, the club announced Tuesday. The 48-year-old Portuguese manager departs after five years at Craven Cottage, during which he guided the London club from the Championship to established Premier League status.

Silva was appointed in 2021 when Fulham were competing in the Championship. He led the club to promotion in his first season before overseeing a period of consolidation in the top flight. In his subsequent Premier League campaigns, Fulham finished 10th, 13th, and 11th respectively. Victory over Newcastle on the final day sealed an 11th-place finish in his most recent season.

During his tenure, Silva also took Fulham to a Carabao Cup semi-final. He was the second-longest serving manager in the Premier League at the time of his departure, behind only Arsenal's Mikel Arteta.

In an open letter published on the club website, Silva addressed Fulham's supporters. "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," he wrote. "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."

Fulham owner Shahid Khan commented on the departure. "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," Khan said. The club had offered Silva a new three-year contract during the season, with the intention to extend his stay beyond this campaign.

Silva's departure comes amid reported interest from Benfica, the Portuguese club poised to lose manager José Mourinho to Real Madrid. The 48-year-old had previously managed Hull City, Watford, and Everton in England before joining Fulham.