Marco celebrates Silva anniversary
COTTAGERS’ BOSS WANTS SUCCESS IN YEARS AHEAD
MARCO SILVA reckons his old reputation for jumping clubs whenever a bigger one came calling is a tad unfair.
And as the Fulham boss prepares for his 60th game at the Londoners’ helm today – a derby trip to in-form West Ham – he insists he is in this job for the long haul.
On English shores, Silva has managed to reach that milestone once before during his colourfulyet-controversial coaching career.
The Portuguese, 45, lasted that number of matches as Everton supremo until his troubled time on Merseyside ended with the sack back in December 2019.
Asked if his apparent habit for swapping clubs is now very much behind him, Silva’s response was both emphatic and dismissive.
The ex-hull and Watford manager said: “People in football will realise that some things are out of your control.
“The good thing is that all the clubs where I’ve worked know the very good work we’ve done for them – starting with Hull in the Premier League. I respect other opinions even if I don’t always know what they are.
“But it’s the people who know what happens at a club who are most important to me.”
As for life with Fulham, Silva, who led the West Londoners straight back into the top flight in his first season, is loving it.
Understandably, there are no plans to go anywhere anytime soon.
The Craven Cottage chief added: “How long do I think I can be here? Well, you say this is my 60th game, then I want more in the future.
“Another 60 to start with – that will be a sign that everyone in the club is happy with me.
“I’m really happy at this football club, I’m happy with the players and everything we’re doing.
“But we have so much more to do.”
Fulham, eighth in the table coming into the weekend, have begun their latest stint among the elite in excellent fashion.
And Silva needs only to look at David Moyes’ sensational progress in his second spell at West Ham to appreciate the importance of stability in the dug-out.
The former Estoril and Sporting boss said: “I remember the first time he was in West Ham and his first game was against us at Watford.
“It was a tough moment for him then – with the crowd on him.
“But now he has come in again and things are completely different.
“The last two seasons, the way they were fourth and fifth in the table and fighting for Europe, they’re doing really well.
“David’s a very good manager. The project is clear.
“They’ve have spent this summer to strengthen.
“It will be a tough match for us – but we hope to create a scenario where it’ll be tough for them also.”
‘The good thing is that all the clubs where I’ve worked know the very good work we’ve done’