Fulham fan Alex Bowmer’s excellent article for the I urges the Craven Cottage board to ensure that Marco Silva isn’t tempted by Juventus – or anyone else.
Bowmer;s piece details some of the frustrations with Fulham falling away from the European positions in the closing weeks of the season and Silva’s inability to figure out a way past a low block, something that the manager himself himself as a big frustration in his end-of-season interview with DAZN Portugal last week. But it is also right that the Whites won’t get as good a coach as Silva at Craven Cottage again and this is a test of the ownership’s ambition.
Silva has turned down approaches from West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur – who might be in the market for a new manager again if the reports over the last 24 hours about Ange Postecoglou’s imminent sacking are accurate – and several Saudi Arabian sides to continue his work at Craven Cottage. There are signs that Juventus might be moving in a different direction, with incoming sporting director Damien Comolli to hold talks with interim coach Igor Tudor today. La Vecchia Signora might not be the best fit for Silva, who has relished the chance to prove him can be successful in England. But for a winner like Silva success means lifting a trophy. He speaks about creating more history for London’s oldest professional club, but further progression will require increased investment and a demonstration that the Khan family want to take Fulham into Europe.
It won’t be easy and Silva will certainly leave SW6 one day. I’ve read others suggesting that the Portuguese has taken Fulham as far as can and that it might be time to look elsewhere. It’s not a view I share. With a year left on his contract, Silva – a consummate operator – is seeking assurances that his current employers back his ambition. Look at where the Whites were before he took over from Scott Parker. The progression has been pretty serene and Silva is settled in south west London. Let him prove what a genius he really is.
Can’t afford to lose him and his staff we do need a striker to score goals so I hope the chairman and his son gives silva the money to give us a chance next season been a Fulham fan since I was ten and now 76 years old
Excellent analysis! I agree that Silva has unfinished business at Craven Cottage. Given more support and funding from the owners, he can achieve even more.
I totally agree, as soon as we lose Silva we will be bacj yo-yoing between divisions. If the Khans want to keep enjoying their premier league status they should back Silva’s ambition. We are not far off from being a good side, 3 quality signings woyld put us at Brighton’s level. We can achieve that.
Reports out now (15.00) Ange about to be sacked Frank and Silva on Spurs hit list?
Silvas contract should be priority for the Khans then back him with the money for new players maybe an upgrade to some we have now,another top class goalie to challenge Leno as Benda is nowhere near good enough if the Khans don’t back Marco then they are stupid we need to move to the next level let’s see what happens everything will be left to the last minute like always if so they will loose Marco Silva So Mr Khan SnrAnd Jun let’s get this right we have a manager who wanted by bigger clubs
I very much agree with all these sentiments. I just hope in the transfer market Fulham don’t leave everything to the last minute which does seem the case in previous seasons. It’s no good having a super stand, fancy restaurants and a swimming pool if you get relegated. Without over stating the case I’d sooner have a super Fulham team on the pitch firstly and then an improved stadium. I’ve been going to the Cottage since 1950 and am now 83. I’d like to see Fulham win something like the FA Cup prior to me departing for eternity. If Crystal Palace can do it why not Fulham? Rant over.
Marco has already stated that he will be at Fulham next season. Clickbait.
We will see.
I have been a supporter of Fulham for 60 years. I have suffered frustration, pain ,annoyance and a near heart attack ( not really ) in that time. Each team promises so much then sell all the young gifted academy players; never to be heard of again. How can a team beat Liverpool one game then struggle dismally to scape a draw against Southampton? Many highlight for me but the standout moment was the Roy Hodgson era when we beat Juventus in the Europa Cup but lost in the final through some guy called Forlan. Fulham have never been a team of big egos and primadona.
Marco has put together an honest set of players who will continue to work with him.
He is the best Manager Fulham have had for a long time.
Give him the players to succeed. If you do not then the team will drop down again.