Marco Silva has urged the Fulham board to match his ambitions over the summer as he insists the club ‘have to aim for something more’ next season.
The Portuguese head coach has surpassed expectations at Craven Cottage, comfortably guiding the Whites to mid-table safety in both of their Premier League campaigns having won the Championship in his first season at Craven Cottage. Silva admits that he needs to be ‘realistic’ in planning the next steps as he feels they are plenty of top flight sides better equipped to qualify for Europe than Fulham at present.
He told his pre-match press conference before the final game of the season at Luton on Sunday:
“I am the manager of this football club and improvements will be there, I’m 100 per cent sure. But I don’t like to just use words. After, you have to have the actions. Not everything is in my hands. All the managers and clubs want the same improvements, and you have to see actions. I told the board that stuff. We have to prepare ourselves completely differently.
The plan is already there, and let’s see what we’ll be capable to do. I’m not saying our ambition depends on how much we spend, because it’s not just that. It’s going to depend on many, many things that are not just in my hands.”
We have to aim for something more. When you talk about European competitions, if you look at this country right now, you have the top six, you have two clubs that are really close to the top six. One of them played Champions League football last season — Newcastle — and Aston Villa is going to play Champions League. I’ve already put eight clubs there, and I can put more if you want?
Silva wants the Whites to be ambitious in their recruitment during the close season.
“[Our ambition] is dependent on the ambition we show in the market, our capacity to convince players to come to our club. Many, many things. For it to be very competitive in this league depends on many factors. We have to be really professional. To fight for something that right now is not realistic, we have to do the things almost perfectly over the next two or three months.”
Good luck with that one Marco, on your mission impossible.
This won’t happen while Tonkey is in charge of the recruitment I’m sorry to say.
Why all this doom and gloom? We have to be realistic, not all top players are fighting to join Fulham. Having said that, the recruitment at these last two seasons has been very positive. Players like Leno, Pahlinha, Castagne and Bassey have served the club really well from almost immediately. Let us remain positive and hope for another 4 quality signings along with retaining the best elements of our squad. I believe the basis for improvement is already there, and Tony Khan has been a part of this improvement for sure.
More inclined to agree with Simon than ‘glass half empty ‘ Martin. We are never going to be able to attract the players who only want European football, so will always have to find diamonds in the rough or players who for whatever reason have not fitted in to their current club. And look to integrate some of our excellent youth players. Would love to see Fig Rolls alongside Bassey tomorrow.
Marco is absolutely correct. The biggest obstacle when signing new players is their perception as to whether or not we are a club with ambition to go to the next level. It’s a real chicken and egg situation. Given the funds I think Marco is as likely as any manager to convince potential new signings that we are intent on becoming a top third club. The owners have to support that ambition. I’m sure they will as it’s in everyone’s interest. Fingers crossed.
Tony khan won’t back him though as he hasn’t had his yo-yo club for the last 2 years, so he will be crying to daddy to fund his coke orgy with Jericho. Get out Tony Khan you clown!