Marco Silva has been appointed as the new head coach of Benfica, ending his long spell in English football as the Lisbon club looks to rebuild after a disappointing season.
The 48-year-old Portuguese manager signed a contract running until the end of the 2027-28 campaign, with an option to extend for a further year.
Silva replaces José Mourinho, who recently left Benfica to take charge of Real Madrid.
Benfica turned to Silva after finishing third in the Primeira Liga, a result that left the club outside the Champions League qualification places and increased pressure for change ahead of the new season.
The appointment marks a return to Portuguese football for Silva after nearly a decade in England. Most recently, he spent five seasons with Fulham, where he guided the club back to the Premier League by winning the Championship title in the 2021-22 season.
Under Silva, Fulham established themselves as a competitive Premier League side, consistently avoiding relegation battles and earning praise for their organisation, attacking style and ability to compete against wealthier clubs.
Before moving to England, Silva built a strong reputation in Portugal. He first gained attention with Estoril Praia, leading the club from the second division into European competition. He later won the Portuguese Cup with Sporting CP and also enjoyed success in Greece with Olympiacos, where he captured the league title.
Benfica president Rui Costa will hope Silva can provide much-needed stability. Since 2021, the club has changed managers multiple times while struggling to consistently challenge for major trophies.
Silva now faces the task of restoring Benfica’s status as a leading force in Portuguese football and returning the club to regular Champions League competition. With expectations high at the Estádio da Luz, supporters will be hoping his experience and track record can spark a new era of success.
