Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I want to be a Special One too
IN-DEMAND HORNETS COACH EAGER TO EMULATE SUCCESS OF FELLOW COUNTRYMAN JOSE
MARCO SILVA would love to be the new Special One and is flattered by the comparisons with Jose Mourinho.
There will be an allportuguese head-to-head on the Vicarage Road sideline tonight when Watford host Manchester United, a clash between eighth and second in the top flight. And for the highly-rated Hornets boss it will be another chance for him to try to outwit his managerial mate Mourinho.
The United chief is 14 years Silva’s senior and has shown Portuguese coaches how it is done by hoovering up trophies at home, in England, Italy and Spain, living up to the
Special One tag he gave himself at Chelsea.
Silva, who is just as assured, driven and focused as Mourinho, is being tipped to follow in his countryman’s footsteps after his own impressive start to management in Portugal, Greece and England.
And as he prepared to welcome his compatriot, Silva said: “Of course I’d like to emulate him.
“It is important and a good sign when somebody compares you with a good coach. For Portugal he is a very important one with what he did in the last 15 years – and he has also shown the way for other Portuguese coaches.
“To reach his level I need to improve every day. I’m sure if I continue to do my work maybe good things will come but the most important thing is always the next day, the next training and the next match.”
Silva was still playing in Portugal when Mourinho’s managerial career and silverware-collecting, including the 2004 Champions League at Porto, was well underway. But they are now friends and Mourinho gave Silva advice before he took both his jobs in England, with Hull and now Watford.
Silva, who again batted away questions about the Everton vacancy, said: “He made a fantastic impact in Portugal since he started in Benfica and after in Uniao de Leiria. Same when he joined Porto and you know everything when he came to Chelsea. Our relationship is very good. We are friends.
“When I wanted to know something about the Premier League when I was in Portugal or when I was in Greece the best person to talk to was Jose.
“He told me what you would expect, good things about the competition, the Premier League, the matches as well. OK, our life permits that you don’t see each other many, many times but he is a very good person.”
Watford stunned United 3-1 at home last season, Silva earned a 2-1 league cup home win and 0-0 draw at Old Trafford as Hull boss and his new, fearless side have been one of the surprises of this campaign.
But Silva remains the Humble One too. He added: “You know what our aim is since the first day – for Watford to remain a Premier League club.
“I don’t change one word now because we have achieved good things – but we have played only 13 matches.
“The moment we achieve 40 points I can talk about different situations.” goal in his last 10 games, will lead the line tonight, even though Zlatan Ibrahimovic is fit again.
And former Watford junior Ashley Young will also play against his old club, as he looks to cement a incredible resurrection.
Young started his career at Vicarage Road 15 years ago, and he is now enjoying a renaissance which has taken him back into the England squad, after he seemed sure of a summer exit at Old Trafford.
And he said: “It is always nice to go back there – but it’ll be even better if we go back and get three points.
“The place has changed in the years since I left.
“They’re doing well in the league so we know it’s another tough game.”