Fulham facing shattering blow as Marco Silva ‘close’ to joining new club
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Credit: Imago Mon 1 June 2026 14:19, UK Fulham’s owners will be regretting not backing manager Marco Silva further as he prepares to leave the club.As per Ben Jacobs, Silva is “close” to joining Benfica after holding a “positive meeting” with the club’s president Rui Costa.Silva’s future at Craven Cottage has been uncertain for some time, and Fulham should not be surprised if he does walk away.The 48-year-old has established the Cottagers as a stable mid-table Premier League club, but European football could have been on the cards had he been backed to a greater extent.Silva labelled Fulham’s transfer window last summer as “passive,” with the London club only making one major signing to strengthen the squad.Sources reveal favourite to replace Marco Silva at FulhamWith a thin squad that has been barely strengthened over the past year, Silva led Fulham to an 11th-placed Premier League finish this season, just one point below the final Europa Conference League place. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider that he has heard Fulham could appoint Liam Rosenior to replace Silva in the dugout.Games Managed229Games Won104Games Drawn42Games Lost83Marco Silva’s managerial stats at Fulham in all competitions.Rosenior, who had a four-year spell at Fulham as a player, would be a huge risk by the club’s hierarchy after his spell at Chelsea.The 41-year-old was sacked after just three months in charge, and he oversaw Chelsea’s fall out of the Champions League places in the Premier League table.There was little identity, or authority, on show from Rosenior at Chelsea, although the demands at Fulham will be much less than at Stamford Bridge.New Fulham manager faces key transfer decisionsFulham’s next manager is likely to want assurances of being able to strengthen the squad this summer to push for European qualification next season.Raul Jimenez is currently expected to leave the club upon the expiry of his contract, meaning a new striker would have to be a priority if he departs.Only Harry Wilson scored more goals than Jimenez in the Premier League for Fulham last summer, but the 29-year-old’s deal also expires at the end of this month.Union Berlin forward Andrej Ilic is on Fulham’s radar this summer, and the 26-year-old’s record in the Bundesliga means he could be a smart addition to their attacking line. ⚪️ Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Fulham Insider Access Get the full story from Craven Cottage and Motspur Park with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of West London.