Marco Silva revealed he has already set Fulham’s first team squad the target of beating this season’s points tally as he looks to improve on a sluggish end to his campaign.

The Portuguese head coach reiterated that he will remain in the Craven Cottage dugout beyond the summer after rejecting an approach from Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal and told his post-match press conference following the final day defeat to Manchester City that he has already started planning for the 2025/26 campaign with the Fulham board.

“I’m not here to talk about speculation. I’m under contract with the club, I’ve been planning with the board for next season. We’ve been planning for next season since January. We have hard work to do in the next two months to prepare for the season as best as we can.

It was a great season. It hurts a little bit to not finish in the top half, where we were the majority of the time throughout the season. Firstly, for a historic club like Fulham Football Club, to break the points record speaks [a lot] about ourselves and [the quality] the season. I want more, I’m really ambitious, I’m never satisfied. When we played at our best level, it was very difficult to play against us. [There were] some incredible performances and results. The aim is to be more consistent.

About next season, I’ve already told the players – the summer is going to be crucial. The aim is to beat the 54 points tally. The target is already set. We have to show that on the pitch. The next summer is crucial to prepare ourselves for that.”