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General Category => Archive => Daily Fulham Stuff => Topic started by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:04:19 AM

Title: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:04:19 AM
Blackburn lining up Johansen move

Blackburn Rovers are ready to try and hijack QPR's pursuit of Fulham midfielder Stefan Johansen, according to a Lacanshire Evening Telegraph report this morning.

Rovers have lost four central midfielders during the close season and have revived their longstanding interest in former Norwegian captain Johansen. The 31 year-old was on Tony Mowbray's radar in January but the former Celtic midfielder opted to make the short switch to Shepherd's Bush in search of first team football after having seen his opportunities limited under Scott Parker.

Parker's departure for Bournemouth this week might impact on Johansen's immediate Fulham future, with the Whites now rumoured to be close to appointing Marco Silva as their new manager. Johansen has proven his ability in the Championship, having been part of two Fulham play-off winning squads, and may well be reintegrated into the Craven Cottage squad after returning to pre-season training.

Rangers haven't given up hope of signing Johansen permanently after his impressive loan spell at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, where he scored three goals in 21 appearances as QPR finished the season strongly. Negotiations between the two local rivals stalled whilst Fulham finalised Parker's exit and the Whites have been playing handball, demanding a fee that reflects Johansen's ability and enduring value – as the experienced midfielder still has a year left on his current contract.

The revival of Rovers' interest in the energetic midfielder might spark a bidding war that could raise any transfer fee should Fulham be minded to allow Johansen to leave. The Cottage cult hero has made 136 appearances in five years in SW6, scoring 21 goals. He formed a swashbuckling triumvirate alongside former Blackburn midfielder Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald in Slavisa Jokanovic's watchable side that won promotion in 2018/2019.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/07/blackburn-lining-up-johansen-move/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:05:24 AM
QPR's pursuit of Fulham's Stefan Johansen under threat as Blackburn Rovers identify him as a summer target

Blackburn Rovers have added Fulham midfielder, and QPR target Stefan Johansen to their radar, reports Lancashire Telegraph.

Johansen, 30, joined QPR on loan from Fulham midway through last season. He'd been left in the dark at Craven Cottage but shone for the Rs, scoring four goals in his 21 Championship outings and becoming a huge fan favourite in the process.

Mark Warburton's side have been working tirelessly to bring him back to the club on a permanent basis. The move has seemingly been delayed by Fulham's managerial situation though – Scott Parker has finally left for Bournemouth with the Whites reportedly nearing a deal for former Everton boss Marco Silva.

But a report from Lancashire Telegraph has added another element of doubt to QPR's permanent pursuit of Johansen, claiming that Tony Mowbray's Blackburn Rovers have added the Norwegian to their summer shopping list as they look to overhaul their midfield.

Johansen is contracted at Fulham until 2022.

Thoughts?
Johansen to Blackburn is a surprising rumour and one that QPR fans won't want to see. But the Rs still have a big chance of landing Johansen this summer and although the deal is taking a while to near fruition, fans shouldn't start to worry just yet.

The signs are pointing towards a permanent switch to QPR and the only thing that's realistically standing in the way of that is if Fulham's next manager wants Johansen to stick around for the next season – that could seriously put a dampener on QPR's pursuit of the Norway man.



https://the72.co.uk/241032/qprs-pursuit-of-fulhams-stefan-johansen-under-threat-as-blackburn-rovers-identify-him-as-a-summer-target/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:06:29 AM
Liverpool transfer: London-based duo linked with Reds winger

Fulham and Brentford are realistic options for Liverpool flyer Harry Wilson. The Wales international will be allowed to leave this summer and Benfica have also been linked.

Goal claims, however, that the London-based duo are far more likely destinations for the 24-year-old.

Last season saw Wilson shine on loan at Cardiff City. He scored seven goals and claimed 12 assists as the Bluebirds enjoyed a pretty decent campaign.

The Reds are keen to offload the player this summer. He has two years remaining on his current contract and is thought to be valued at £15 million.

Brentford will have some money to spend this summer. They will play in the Premier League for the first time and will make an assault on the transfer market.

For London rivals Fulham, they will be back in the Championship. As a result, the £15 million could prove tricky to fork out in one go.

Wilson would be an attractive signing for both clubs. During 2019/20 he scored seven goals on loan at Bournemouth, gaining invaluable Premier League experience.

He's played just twice for Liverpool and the time looks right to leave. Boss Jurgen Klopp will hope to do some business this summer. In order to do so, however, some players could need to leave.

It is thought that Wilson earns £60,000-a-week at Anfield. That would leave both of the interested parties plenty to weigh up ahead of a deal that wouldn't come cheap.

Roy Keane recently had praise for Wilson. After he netted for Wales back in November, he told ITV Football (11/11; 11:45pm): "I loved this goal. It's outstanding, beautiful. I can watch it all night. Fantastic goal."

The time has come for Wilson to leave Liverpool

If the young winger is going to really fulfill his potential, he needs to put some roots down somewhere.

Both Brentford and Fulham would provide attractive options, with each club possessing different ambitions.

The Cottagers are keen to get themselves back into the Premier League, whilst for Thomas Frank, he will want to keep his team there.

Wilson has bags of potential and on his day, he boasts match-winning qualities. It's fair to say that going out on loan isn't doing anyone any favours and he must now leave permanently.



https://tbrfootball.com/report-brentford-and-fulham-eye-move-for-liverpool-misfit-harry-wilson/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:09:20 AM
Is Marco Silva really the best we can do?
Colm argues that the ex Hull, Watford and Everton man is the wrong choice for the job.


According to Peter Rutzler of The Athletic, Fulham have provisionally agreed a deal with Marco Silva to take over the hot seat from Scott Parker. This is the same Marco Silva who hasn't been able to find a job since being sacked by Everton in December 2019 as they sat in 18th place in the Premier League. For me, this news is totally underwhelming, even if it might mean the return to the Cottage of Luis Boa Morte, who was Silva's assistant at the Toffees.

Failure in England
Silva's had relative success coaching in Portugal and Greece, winning the Taça de Portugal with Sporting and the Super League with Olympiacos, Silva can only be described as a failure in England, and apart from some periodic good runs of form has never had any success here. His biggest achievement was having Watford in the Champions League places in October 2017 – just eight games into the season. That run of form attracted the interest of Everton, who offered Watford £10m to buy him out of his contract. Watford held firm though, only to sack him three months later citing "that unwarranted approach", which caused a "significant deterioration in both focus and results" as Watford went into freefall down the table. He clearly had his eyes on bigger and better things and Watford were merely a stepping stone for him, whether they liked it or not.

Arrival at Everton
Silva would eventually get his move to Everton for the 2018/19 season, after the Goodison fans grew tired of Sam Allardyce's style of football. He achieved an underwhelming eighth place finish that year – ironically, the same result Allardyce had the year before. The 2019/20 season, however, was a disaster, and he was sacked in December with the lowest win percentage out of any of their previous five managers.

Before all this, Silva was tasked with rescuing Hull City from Premier League relegation in January 2017, after Mike Phelan was let go by the Tigers. He failed to keep them up, and then unduly resigned claiming "It's my goal as a manager to work in the Premier League."

Considering the nature of his exits from both Hull and Watford, it seems to me that loyalty is a character flaw of Silva's. Trying to manoeuvre his way out the door after just eight games at Watford and claiming he wants to manage in the Premier League after getting Hull City relegated both seem very subversive reasons to leave a club. That, on top of his lack of success in England, means it beggars belief why Mr. Khan would look in his direction.

According to many of his previous players, he does seem to build up a fantastic rapport with his squads and his impeccable attention to detail is something that's brought up time and time again, but these are of no use unless results follow, which hasn't been the case for Silva.

Continental name
While he doesn't have as exotic a name as Silva or some of the European managers on the market at the moment, I was just starting to get used to the idea of Chris Wilder coming in. After getting Sheffield United from League One to ninth in the Premier League in just four seasons, the man has a proven track record in the leagues that matter to Fulham, while the same cannot be said about Silva. After what has been a tumultuous few weeks since the season's end, it seemed an experienced shining light was on his way to help bring us out of these dark days, only for our Chairman to get distracted by a shiny continental name with little or no success.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2021-07-01-is-marco-silva-really-the-best-we-can-do/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:10:51 AM
'Suits their club down to a tee' – Fulham set to appoint Scott Parker replacement: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Fulham are set to appoint Marco Silva as the replacement for Scott Parker, according to The Athletic.


Parker's exit was announced earlier this week, with the 40-year-old now in charge at Bournemouth.

It is understood that an agreement has now been reached with Silva, who is set to become the next Fulham manager.

But is he the right man for the job?

We asked our FLW writers for their thoughts...

George Dagless

I'm very much in the waiting to be convinced camp to be honest.

I really liked Silva when he was at Hull and I think he did a good job at Watford but you have to note how things went at Everton, his clear willingness to jump ship if a bigger offer comes in and the fact he hasn't spent much time at many clubs as all potential drawbacks.

I think he could certainly prove a point and do a good job at Fulham but the jury is going to be out until we see a few games under him and really hear how committed he plans to be to the club.

He plays some nice stuff and that will fit well at Craven Cottage and it could be a good appointment, but I think most will be on the fence initially.

George Harbey

This is an interesting appointment for Fulham.

It looked as if Chris Wilder was in talks with the club and they were going to go down the proven, experienced route after losing Scott Parker to Bournemouth.

Silva has had some time away from the game after leaving Everton, which managers sometimes need. He did a decent job at Everton on the whole but wasn't the right man to lead them forward in my opinion.

He is obviously a manager with decent pedigree having won titles with Olympiacos and Sporting Lisbon, and he clearly knows how to galvanise a dressing room and build a winning mentality.

The Championship is a tough nut to crack and it's hard to predict whether he'll be a success or not. But he'd have a good core of players to work with, and their flair players should enjoy working with him going forward.

Ben Wignall

I thought initially that Chris Wilder was the ideal candidate to replace Scott Parker, but thinking about it a bit more Silva makes a lot of sense.

Wilder obviously did incredibly well getting Sheffield United's squad into the Premier League and finishing ninth in his first season up there but there's an inkling in my mind that he wouldn't have been able to do that at another club – especially in a dressing room where there's seemingly a few big egos.

Silva will have dealt with a lot of those having managed the likes of Watford and Everton at the top level, and to be honest it's quite a surprise that he's not been in work since he was sacked by the Toffees in December 2019.

The Portuguese coach will have Fulham playing similar to how they were under Parker – it'll be football on the floor and with the bodies he will have at his disposal you'd imagine there would be lots of attacking play in most games.

Fulham are definitely doing the right thing in appointing someone a bit younger rather than going for experience and I think that Silva suits their club down to a tee.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/suits-their-club-down-to-a-tee-fulham-set-to-appoint-scott-parker-replacement-the-verdict/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:11:37 AM
Fulham fan favourite set to secure Craven Cottage return amid Marco Silva talks

Fulham fans look set to see a familiar face when they return to Craven Cottage as Luis Boa Morte is being lined up for a return to the club as part of Marco Silva's backroom staff, according to The Athletic's Peter Rutzler.

The Portuguese former winger joined the Cottagers initially on loan in 2000 from Southampton, scoring 18 times in their promotion campaign to the Premier League before signing on the dotted line permanently the following year.

Boa Morte, who earned 28 caps for his country, remained at the west London club until 2007 when he joined West Ham United, but he remains a cult hero at Craven Cottage for his performances over the years.

14 years later though and he's set to return as part of Silva's coaching team, having joined forces with the 43-year-old when he was manager of Everton before they both departed in December 2019.

Silva is in advanced talks with the Cottagers about becoming their new head coach and it looks like a deal is close to being done, and in turn Boa Morte will be arriving as well – you'd assume he will be second in command to Silva in the dugout.

The Verdict

With fans being divided over certain issues at the club such as Tony Khan's transfer dealings, the return of a real fan favourite should bring most supporters back together in unison.

Boa Morte was a much-loved player at Craven Cottage for many years – from the early days when he played alongside the likes of Louis Saha to being a key part of the Chris Coleman era.

Even though it's just as an assistant, Boa Morte's imminent return does plant the seeds for a potential managerial role down the line at Craven Cottage – it wouldn't be the first time that a manager gets sacked and his assistant or a coach at the club steps up to the plate.

That may already be in the minds of Fulham fans already but for now they can look forward to a duo of Silva and Boa Morte on the touchline as they look to bring some Portuguese flair back to the Cottagers.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-fan-favourite-set-to-secure-craven-cottage-return-amid-marco-silva-talks/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:12:57 AM
Boa Morte heading back to Craven Cottage

Luis Boa Morte is set for an emotional return to Craven Cottage as assistant to new manager Marco Silva, according to the Athletic's Peter Rutzler.

The Portuguese winger was Silva's number two during his time in charge at Everton and the pair have been longstanding friends during their football careers. Boa Morte spent seven years at Fulham, helping the Whites win promotion back to the top flight, lift the InterToto Cup, reach the FA Cup semi-finals and the third round of the UEFA Cup as well as finishing ninth in the Premier League during Chris Coleman's first season in charge. Coleman went on to make Boa Morte club captain and he famously scored the winner in the Whites' 1-0 win over Chelsea in 2006.

Boa Morte has previously spent time working in the Fulham academy but forged his coaching career back in his homeland. He managed Sporting Lisbon's reserve and under-19 sides before moving on to work as a scout for Arsenal and managed Sintrese between 2017 and 2018, where he moved on to become assistant manager at Maccabi Haifa and then teamed up with Silva at Everton.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/07/boa-morte-heading-back-to-craven-cottage/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:14:28 AM
'Would be a major coup' – Fulham emerge as an option for Liverpool man: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more

Fulham and Brentford have been named as realistic options for Liverpool winger Harry Wilson, according to Goal.


Wilson spent last season on loan at Cardiff City, scoring seven goals in 37 appearances and chipping in with 12 assists for the Bluebirds.

But the 24-year-old's future at Anfield remains uncertain, having made only two first-team appearances for the Reds since coming through the ranks on Merseyside.

According to Goal, Benfica are among the clubs who have asked about Wilson, but their report claims that Fulham or Brentford look like more realistic options.

Here, we discuss the potential arrival of Wilson at Craven Cottage...

George Harbey

It would be a real statement of intent for Fulham to land Wilson this summer, and in all honesty, I cannot see it happening.

He's spent the last four seasons out on loan, three times in the Championship with Hull, Derby and Cardiff, and once in the Premier League with Bournemouth.

At 24, I think it's all about Wilson trying to find a new home and settle down somewhere for good, rather than spending another year out on loan.

If Fulham can get him in on a permanent basis, it would be a pricey addition and it's a lot to spend on one player in today's market.

But he's a proven star at this level. He scores goals and creates them too, and it would be a very exciting addition for the Cottagers.

Ned Holmes

If Fulham can get this done it would be a fantastic signing.

With the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ademola Lookman returning to their parent clubs following loan moves, the west London club have lost some of their best attacking options from last season.

Whoever the new manager will be is taking over a squad with a lot of talent in it but for me, adding Wilson is still a no-brainer.

His record at Championship level is excellent and his attitude while on loan has always been brilliant as well.

He's not got a chance at Liverpool and the Wales international will likely want to prove to everyone at Anfield that was the wrong decision.

If Fulham can benefit, it could be massive for them.

Ben Wignall

I would be incredibly shocked if Wilson was to drop down to the Championship once again as I expect him to secure a permanent move to a Premier League team or a foreign club.

Wilson wasn't able to match the figures he produced for Derby three seasons ago when he was at Cardiff City in the previous campaign, but he still showed that he was a classy operator at Championship level and even when he was at Bournemouth in the Premier League it was apparent that he was good enough for the top flight as he scored seven goals.

The fact that Fulham are seen as a realistic option for Wilson next season though shows that they will probably be the Championship's big spenders this summer – the Khan family aren't shy of dipping into their wallets and they probably won't have to sell many of their big names to fund moves for players like Wilson.

It would be a major coup for Fulham should they strike a deal for the Wales international, but I can just see him ending up in the Premier League.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/would-be-a-major-coup-fulham-emerge-as-an-option-for-liverpool-man-the-verdict/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:14:51 AM
Silva agrees three-year Fulham contract

Marco Silva has agreed a three-year deal to become Fulham's new manager and is expected to be officially announced as the club's new boss later today, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The Championship club concluded positive talks with the Portuguese coach, who has been out of football since being sacked by Everton in December 2019, earlier this week. Silva will shortly succeed Scott Parker, who left for Bournemouth on Monday, and will include the former Fulham winger Luis Boa Morte as part of his coaching staff.

Silva, who has rebuffed significant interest from Turkey and Russia to take the Craven Cottage job, has previously managed Hull, Watford and Everton in England but has no experience of managing in the Championship.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/07/silva-agrees-three-year-fulham-contract/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:16:52 AM
Silva agrees deal to take over as Fulham boss

Marco Silva has agreed a three-year contract with Fulham.

The former Everton manager, 43, is set to be confirmed as Whites boss later today.

He takes over following the recent departure of Scott Parker, who left for Bournemouth.

It will be Silva's fourth manager's job in England – the Portuguese was at Hull and Watford before Everton.

He has been out of work since Everton sacked him in December 2019.

Silva's managerial career has also included spells at Sporting Lisbon and Olympiakos.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-agrees-deal-to-take-over-as-fulham-boss
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:17:18 AM
Silva keen to keep Mitrovic

Incoming Fulham manager Marco Silva wants to keep Aleksandar Mitrovic at Craven Cottage, according to the Sun.

Silva's appointment as the permanent successor to Scott Parker is due to be confirmed this afternoon after the Portuguese coach agreed a three year contract with the Championship club. The former Everton boss wants Mitrovic to spearhead his attack as Fulham plot an immediate return back to the Premier League, which aligns with the thinking of the club's hierarchy.

Fulham rejected a £16m bid for Mitrovic, who grew disenchanted having been only afforded thirteen league starts as the Whites were relegated under Parker, from Dynamo Moscow last month. Turkish press reports have linked the Serbian striker with a loan switch to Besiktas but Fulham want the 26 year-old to reprise his fine form Championship form, which saw him score 26 times as Whites went up via the play-offs in 2020.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/07/silva-keen-to-keep-mitrovic/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:18:36 AM
Marco Silva confirmed as Fulham manager after turning down Fenerbahce

    Former Everton manager replaces Scott Parker
    Portuguese manager agrees three-year deal

(https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0b421b47590f0b3d879f24a91a4195f37da64150/0_46_3271_1964/master/3271.jpg?width=620&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=99240dde272121a3d19f9bc120243991)
The Fulham job will be Marco Silva's first since being dismissed by Everton in December 2019. Photograph: Richard Sellers/PA

Marco Silva has been confirmed as Fulham manager on a three-year contract, having turned down an offer from Fenerbahce to take over at the Championship club.

The former Hull City and Watford manager has been out of work since leaving Everton in December 2019, and will be assisted by Luís Boa Morte, who made 250 appearances for Fulham as a player in a six-and-a-half-year spell. Silva will replace Scott Parker, who has joined Bournemouth.

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"I'm really pleased and proud to be appointed head coach of such a historic football club," Silva said in a statement. "I want to thank the owner, Mr Khan, Tony Khan and the entire football structure of Fulham Football Club, for the trust shown in us. I'm excited to get started and my message for our fans ahead of this big challenge is we will all be working very hard together to be successful so they can feel proud at the end of the season."

Silva has had mixed results in England since joining Hull City in early 2017, where he oversaw an upturn in results but could not prevent them from being relegated. He joined Watford that summer and the team started well but their form nosedived after he was linked with the Everton job. He was dismissed in January 2018 and took the reins at Goodison four months later.

Again he made a good start and Everton finished eighth in his first season but the second campaign did not go according to plan, with the Portuguese sacked in December 2019 with the team 18th in the Premier League.

The Fulham chairman, Shahid Khan, explained why Silva emerged as the standout candidate. "I met Marco Silva in Portugal last week and was inspired," he said. "Marco's body of work in football was evident, but listening to him break down in detail his experiences at each of his stops as a head coach was thoroughly impressive. Marco also came prepared, with a full understanding of the players we have and ideas on how we can move forward this season. I loved his energy and optimism, and I'm confident Marco Silva is the right choice to lead Fulham Football Club as our new head coach.

"Finally, Marco will add to his backroom staff a true fan favourite. Luís Boa Morte played here, worked here, knows the club and appreciates what the Fulham badge means to the supporters. That's a plus for all of us."

In an interview with the Guardian in May Silva said: "I want to be ready for the next challenge. I watch many games in many different leagues. I always watch the Premier League but not only that league: you have to be ready, I never stop."

Fulham were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2020-21 season, finishing in 18th place, 11 points from safety. Parker's side played some good football and secured some memorable results, including a 1-0 away win against Liverpool in March, but failed to build on that.

Parker's departure at the end of the season came as no surprise, with the Fulham chairman saying: "Through promotion and relegation alike, Scott has always enjoyed my support as our head coach. Scott's departure does nothing to shake my confidence, however. We will hire a new head coach who is capable of achieving our goal of promotion and will be committed to Fulham and its supporters. And we will field a squad that will respond, compete and win. Onward."



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jul/01/marco-silva-agrees-to-take-over-at-fulham-after-turning-down-fenerbahce
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:19:48 AM
Two Fulham Games Televised

Two of Fulham's opening three fixtures of the 2021/22 season have been selected for live television coverage on Sky Sports.

Our campaign opener against Middlesbrough at Craven Cottage will now be played a day later on Sunday 8th August, kicking off at 1.30pm.

The Whites' trip to the Den to take on Millwall has also been selected, but there is no change to the date (Tuesday 17th August, 7.45pm).



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/july/Two-Fulham-Games-Televised/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:20:43 AM
Bob & Hec's Gold Cup Call

Fulham duo Michael Hector and Bobby De Cordova-Reid have been named in the final Jamaica squad for the upcoming Gold Cup.

All of Jamaica's Group C matches will be played in Orlando, Florida, starting with a clash against Suriname on Monday 12th July.

The Final will be contested on Monday 2nd August in Paradise, Nevada.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/july/Bob-Hec-s-Gold-Cup-Call/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:22:43 AM
Fulham announce Marco Silva as their new head coach

Fulham have appointed Marco Silva as their new head coach on a three-year contract.

Silva, 43, will replace the recently-departed Scott Parker at Craven Cottage.

Parker left his role at Fulham on Monday. A compensation agreement was reached after Bournemouth entered talks with Fulham, paving the way for Parker's departure.

Silva is no stranger to English football, having previously enjoyed stints in charge of Hull City, Watford and Everton.

What has been said?
Silva said: "I'm really pleased and proud to be appointed Head Coach of such a historic football club. I want to thank the owner, Mr Khan, Tony Khan and the entire football structure of Fulham Football Club, for the trust shown in us. I'm excited to get started and my message for our fans ahead of this big challenge is we will all be working very hard together to be successful so they can feel proud at the end of the season."

Fulham chairman Shahid Khan added: "I met Marco Silva in Portugal last week and was inspired. Marco's body of work in football was evident, but listening to him break down in detail his experiences at each of his stops as a head coach was thoroughly impressive. Marco also came prepared, with a full understanding of the players we have and ideas on how we can move forward this season. I loved his energy and optimism, and I'm confident Marco Silva is the right choice to lead Fulham Football Club as our new Head Coach.

"Finally, Marco will add to his backroom staff a true fan favourite. Luis Boa Morte played here, worked here, knows the Club and appreciates what the Fulham badge means to the supporters. That's a plus for all of us.

What has Silva achieved in English football?
Silva first moved to England to manage Hull City.

He was unable to keep the club in the top-flight but won eight of his 22 Premier League games in charge and secured a move to Watford.

After a strong start to the season, he was linked to the Everton vacancy. Silva was eventually dismissed by Watford a few months after joining, with the club blaming the "unwarranted approach by a Premier League rival" for his departure.

Silva then joined Everton but was sacked in his second season at Goodison Park, after a 5–2 defeat to rivals Liverpool which left the club in 18th place.

Why did Parker leave?
Before Fulham's 3-1 Premier League loss to Southampton in May, Parker said in a press conference that he was yet to speak with the club's ownership following relegation.

However, The Athletic then learned the hierarchy had in fact reached out to the head coach and were 'furious' at the nature of relegation.

Later, in May, during a meeting with the Fulham Supporters' Trust, the club confirmed their owners had held talks with Parker after the club's relegation.

Parker finally left the club earlier this week and agreed to take over Championship rivals Bournemouth.



https://theathletic.com/news/marco-silva-fulham-new-manager/EKr2hGQic18e
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:23:51 AM
Fulham appoint Marco Silva as manager after Scott Parker joins Bournemouth

The Whites were linked with a whole host of managers from Steve Cooper to Chris Wilder but have in the end appointed ex-Hull City, Watford and Everton boss Marco Silva

Fulham have appointed Marco Silva as their new manager following the departure of Scott Parker to Bournemouth.

The Portuguese coach has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Craven Cottage and turned down an offer from Fenerbahce to take over the Championship club.

Silva has been out of work since leaving Everton in 2019.

He will be joined in the dugout by his new assistant, Fulham legend Luis Boa Morte.

Silva said: "I'm really pleased and proud to be appointed Head Coach of such a historic football club. I want to thank the owner, Mr Khan, Tony Khan and the entire football structure of Fulham Football Club, for the trust shown in us.

"I'm excited to get started and my message for our fans ahead of this big challenge is we will all be working very hard together to be successful so they can feel proud at the end of the season."

Parker oversaw Fulham's promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2020.

The former Fulham midfielder masterminded a 2-1 win in extra time over Brentford in the play-off final at Wembley to return the Whites to the top-flight after one season in the Championship.

But Fulham struggled back in the Premier League and were relegated in their first season on 28 points, having won only five games all campaign.

Parker kept his job despite the relegation but agreed to mutually terminate his contract this summer before agreeing on terms with Bournemouth.

Fulham chairman Shahid Khan said: "Through promotion and relegation alike, Scott has always enjoyed my support as our head coach. Scott's departure does nothing to shake my confidence, however.

"We will hire a new head coach who is capable of achieving our goal of promotion and will be committed to Fulham and its supporters. And we will field a squad that will respond, compete and win. Onward."



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-fulham-appoint-marco-silva-24440898
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:24:25 AM
Fulham Appoint Marco Silva

The Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Marco Silva as our new Head Coach.

Silva has agreed a three-year deal with Fulham, keeping him at Craven Cottage until the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

He will be assisted by Club legend Luis Boa Morte, who made 250 appearances in a six-and-a-half year spell.

Speaking to fulhamfc.com, Silva said: "I'm really pleased and proud to be appointed Head Coach of such a historic football club. I want to thank the owner, Mr Khan, Tony Khan and the entire football structure of Fulham Football Club, for the trust shown in us. I'm excited to get started and my message for our fans ahead of this big challenge is we will all be working very hard together to be successful so they can feel proud at the end of the season."

Fulham Chairman Shahid Khan provided the following statement: "My commitment to Fulham Football Club is resolute and I therefore take to heart my obligation to provide our supporters with the very best possible, on the pitch and away from the game. In recent days, this responsibility entailed identifying, interviewing and hiring a head coach who would achieve all of our objectives as a club.

"I met Marco Silva in Portugal last week and was inspired. Marco's body of work in football was evident, but listening to him break down in detail his experiences at each of his stops as a head coach was thoroughly impressive. Marco also came prepared, with a full understanding of the players we have and ideas on how we can move forward this season. I loved his energy and optimism, and I'm confident Marco Silva is the right choice to lead Fulham Football Club as our new Head Coach.

"Finally, Marco will add to his backroom staff a true fan favourite. Luis Boa Morte played here, worked here, knows the Club and appreciates what the Fulham badge means to the supporters. That's a plus for all of us.

"Overall, I hope everyone who loves Fulham Football Club is as enthused to welcome Marco Silva to Fulham as I am proud to make this appointment. Come on, Fulham!"

This is Silva's fourth job in England, having previously led Hull City, Watford and Everton in the Premier League.

After transforming the fortunes of GD Estoril in his homeland – taking them from the brink of bankruptcy in the second tier, to the Europa League – he went on to win trophies in consecutive seasons with Sporting Clube de Portugal and Olympiakos, respectively.

He joined Hull in January 2017 with the team sitting bottom of the Premier League having won just three matches all season. Silva managed to ignite an immediate improvement in form, but their eight victories in the second half of the campaign weren't quite enough to save the club from relegation.

His style of play and impact at Hull prompted Watford to appoint him that summer. Silva was only at Vicarage Road for half a year, but left the club sitting in a healthy 10th spot in the Premier League.

Silva joined Everton in May 2018, and guided the club to an eighth place finish in his one full season in charge.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/july/Fulham-Appoint-Marco-Silva/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:26:33 AM
Marco Silva: Fulham appoint former Everton and Watford boss as new head coach

(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/976/cpsprodpb/10153/production/_119157856_marcosilvagetty2.jpg)
Marco Silva has not managed a side since Everton were beaten 5-2 by Liverpool at Anfield on 4 December 2019

Fulham have appointed former Everton and Watford boss Marco Silva as their new head coach.

The 43-year-old Portuguese has signed a three-year contract and succeeds Scott Parker, who left on Monday to take over at Bournemouth.

Former Fulham star Luis Boa Morte has returned to the club as assistant boss.

Silva first came to England to manage Hull City in January 2017 and has also had spells in charge at Sporting Lisbon and Olympiakos.

"I'm really pleased and proud to be appointed head coach of such a historic football club," said Silva, who began his managerial career at Estoril.

"I'm excited to get started and my message for our fans ahead of this big challenge is we will all be working very hard together to be successful so they can feel proud at the end of the season."

Silva has never managed a side in the Championship, although Hull were relegated to the second tier during his five-month spell as manager in 2017.

He succeeded Mike Phelan that January with the club at the foot of the Premier League and the Tigers ended the season third from bottom.

Silva moved to Watford - who finished one place and six points above Hull - that summer but was sacked the following January, having been approached by Everton.

He was subsequently appointed by the Toffees and guided them to an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League in his first season but was sacked in late 2019 following a 5-2 defeat by city rivals Liverpool.

(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/976/cpsprodpb/C523/production/_119176405_gettyimages-52829245.jpg)
Luis Boa Morte played for Fulham between 2000 and 2007

Boa Morte, a popular figure among Fulham fans, made 250 appearances during a six-and-a-half-year spell at Craven Cottage.

Chairman Shahid Khan said: "My commitment to Fulham Football Club is resolute and I therefore take to heart my obligation to provide our supporters with the very best possible, on the pitch and away from the game.

"In recent days, this responsibility entailed identifying, interviewing and hiring a head coach who would achieve all of our objectives as a club.

"I met Marco Silva in Portugal last week and was inspired. Marco's body of work in football was evident, but listening to him break down in detail his experiences at each of his stops as a head coach was thoroughly impressive.

"I loved his energy and optimism, and I'm confident Marco Silva is the right choice to lead Fulham Football Club as our new head coach.

"Finally, Marco will add to his backroom staff a true fan favourite. Luis Boa Morte played here, worked here, knows the club and appreciates what the Fulham badge means to the supporters. That's a plus for all of us."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57677125
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:27:15 AM
Fulham confirm Silva as new head coach

Fulham have tonight confirmed the appointment of Marco Silva as their new head coach on a three-year contract.

The former Everton boss has succeeded Scott Parker, who left the club to join Bournemouth on Monday. Silva will be assisted by the former Fulham winger Luis Boa Morte, who makes an emotional return to Craven Cottage after a seven year playing career with the Whites. The Portuguese coach has signed a three-year contract having held successful talks with Fulham chairman Shahid Khan earlier this week.

Silva, 43, told Fulham's official website: "I'm really pleased and proud to be appointed Head Coach of such a historic football club. I want to thank the owner, Mr Khan, Tony Khan and the entire football structure of Fulham Football Club, for the trust shown in us. I'm excited to get started and my message for our fans ahead of this big challenge is we will all be working very hard together to be successful so they can feel proud at the end of the season."

Shahid Khan added in a statement: "I met Marco Silva in Portugal last week and was inspired. Marco's body of work in football was evident, but listening to him break down in detail his experiences at each of his stops as a head coach was thoroughly impressive. Marco also came prepared, with a full understanding of the players we have and ideas on how we can move forward this season. I loved his energy and optimism, and I'm confident Marco Silva is the right choice to lead Fulham Football Club as our new head coach."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/07/fulham-confirm-silva-as-new-head-coach/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:28:38 AM

Fulham appoint Marco Silva as head coach on three-year contract

Scott Parker left Fulham by mutual consent and joined Bournemouth after failing to prevent the club's relegation from the Premier League last season; former Hull City, Watford, and Everton boss Marco Silva replaces the 40-year-old at Craven Cottage

Fulham have appointed Marco Silva as their new head coach on a three-year contract.

Former Hull, Watford and Everton boss Silva, 43, has signed a three-year contract to replace Scott Parker, who left Craven Cottage on Monday to become Bournemouth manager.

"I'm really pleased and proud to be appointed head coach of such a historic football club," said Silva, who will be assisted by Fulham legend Luis Boa Morte.

"I want to thank the owner, Mr Khan, Tony Khan and the entire football structure of Fulham Football Club, for the trust shown in us.

"I'm excited to get started and my message for our fans ahead of this big challenge is we will all be working very hard together to be successful so they can feel proud at the end of the season."

Silva has been out of work since he was sacked by Everton in December 2019. While at Goodison, he guided the Toffees to an eighth-placed Premier League finish in his first season, but was dismissed following a 5-2 defeat by local rivals Liverpool.

Silva's first job in England was at Hull, where he took over in January 2017, but after the club were relegated to the Sky Bet Championship the Portuguese manager resigned.

Fulham chairman Shahid Khan said: "I met Marco Silva in Portugal last week and was inspired. Marco's body of work in football was evident, but listening to him break down in detail his experiences at each of his stops as a head coach was thoroughly impressive.

"Marco also came prepared, with a full understanding of the players we have and ideas on how we can move forward this season. I loved his energy and optimism, and I'm confident Marco Silva is the right choice to lead Fulham Football Club as our new head coach.

"Finally, Marco will add to his backroom staff a true fan favourite. Luis Boa Morte played here, worked here, knows the club and appreciates what the Fulham badge means to the supporters. That's a plus for all of us."



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/12346646/fulham-appoint-marco-silva-as-head-coach-on-three-year-contract
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:32:37 AM
Why Marco Silva will be a good fit for Fulham
Sammy takes a look at the new boss at Craven Cottage, Marco Silva and dissects why he should be a success in SW6.


On Thursday, it was announced that Marco Silva has become the new head coach at Fulham FC. It's put a quick end to a slow burning managerial saga that pretty much started as soon as Fulham were mathematically relegated against Burnley on May 10th.

Whilst Marco Silva has been in the conversation (Jack even mentioned his name on Tuesday's podcast), he hasn't been one of the top names banded about, either by fans or bookies.

The other candidates


Of the five listed above, my preference would have been Eddie Howe, although I would have accepted Javier Periera given his past links to the club. I'm interested to see what happens next with Javi, he tweeted recently that he's been given working rights to remain in the UK, and given that his managerial experiences in China are not going brilliantly (his side Henan Songshan Longmen are last in the Chinese Super League) maybe he would be interested in a move back to Fulham in a renewed shake-up.

Chris Wilder was the first choice of many, and he was wonderfully championed by our very own Charles Jones in this article here. Clearly, Wilder is a clever man – and as Charles points out, if his name was Cristiano Wildinho, who didn't have a broad Yorkshire accent, he would probably be rated far higher within the game.

One big unanswered question with Wilder though, is that he is famously wants control over the whole football club, including transfers. Like it or loathe it, Fulham are wedded to the Director of Football structure, and it's hard to see them wavering from that for anyone.

Previous Experience
So with Silva the new man in the dugout, what can we expect?

As I'm sure you know by now, his three most recent clubs have all been in the Premier League with Hull, Watford and Everton.

With that in mind, I've got the opinion of fans from all those teams for a guage on what we can expect

Hull City
Despite relegation, his job at Hull was hugely impressive. The Tigers were a complete shambles when he arrived in January 2017, and were staring relegation square in the face. From 19th position, he managed to get Hull to the safety of 17th with three games to spare, but sadly three defeats at the end of the season saw Hull sucked back in to the mire.

Whilst ultimately, Silva couldn't save them, for me getting them even close was a remarkable achievement.

Hull fan and broadcaster Dan Morfitt said: He'll have a season to hopefully plunder some decent loans for you. It can be a bit gung-ho or nothing but he needs a stable club and Fulham will give him that. We should've stayed up... All the very best.

Mixed reaction, but for me, that even under difficult circumstances, Silva is able to pull rabbits out of hats.

Watford
His time at Vicarage Road is controversial to say the least. After a blistering start, his attention was diverted by Everton who famously had a £10m bid declined by Watford, only to terminate his contract months later with an eventual £4m settlement

This for me is Silva's biggest negative. He showed a complete lack of loyalty to Watford as soon as a moderately better offer came calling.

Here's two opinions by From The Rookery End, a Watford podcast also partnered with The Athletic.

Mike Parkin said: Had Watford playing genuinely scintillating stuff before he decided he wanted a new job and downed tools. Won't find too many Hornets' fans with many kind words to say, but before he did the dirty he had us looking good.

Dave Walker said: Before his head got turned by Everton he had us playing superbly well and we were right up there in the table. His overall record speaks for itself, however.

Surprisingly positive reactions, but as expected, with the caveat over loyalty. On this one, part of me thinks that the scenarios are a bit different for Marco, and that he has surely had his fingers burned from having his head turned so drastically. If he takes Fulham up, and is then in demand, surely there aren't many clubs who could either realistically sway him or realistically want him?

After two years out of the game, it looks like he's on a mission to resurrect his career, name and image. Repeating the same trick twice would be a very risky game. Then again, as they always say, a leopard never changes its spots.

Everton
Once Silva made the daring move to Merseyside, there was one golden rule, 'don't love it up'. Whilst his first season was fantastically Everton; 8th place and out in the 4th round of the FA Cup, his second season was a disaster. Three straight defeats, including a 5-2 defeat to neighbours Liverpool left Everton 18th and Silva heading for the exit door.

Dave Downie, from the excellent Blue Room podcast gave his thoughts on Silva: I'm slightly different to most, I thought some of his ideas were very good, but think he needs a way of keeping the squad on side.

From chatting to Evertonians, I think Dave is certainly more positive than most, but again, it's an encouraging sign to me that the potential is there, as long as he keeps everyone happy. However, it's quite clear that is a challenge for Silva.

Can Silva produce Gold?
With just over a month to the season, Silva doesn't have long to get to work. He has some big challenges ahead to unite a dressing room that is understandably fraught after a second relegation in three years.

I'll admit, my first thought when I saw Peter Rutzler tweet that Fulham had provisionally agreed a deal with Silva, was that it was a bit of an underwhelming move.

However, with a bit of time to ponder, and maybe a sprinkling of foolish optimism, I think it's the right move, for the following reasons.

    He will be desperate to prove himself and re-establish his reputation after a high-profile failing at Everton (a historically difficult club to succeed at)
    He is capable of producing exhilarating football that's fast and direct, something we've missed at Craven Cottage under Ranieri and Parker.
    As mentioned by Tom Barclay, he's a fan of Aleksandar Mitrovic. I also hope that Silva is a high-profile enough manager to potentially convince Mitro to stay.
    He has worked under different Director of Football structures, including the Pozzo family at Watford, so will likely be comfortable with Fulham's slightly unconventional boardroom.
    His assistant is Luis Boa Morte, a cult Fulham hero (and my all-time favourite player) – little more to be said than that!

Maybe this is me looking through rose-tinted glasses, but in my opinion, this is a good fit for Fulham, and one I'm hopeful can breed success and a swift return to the Premier League. All aboard HMS Piss The League!



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2021-07-01-why-marco-silva-will-be-a-good-fit-for-fulham/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:33:34 AM
Marco Silva reunites his Everton staff at Fulham

MARCO SILVA is bringing the same five assistants who worked with him at Everton to Fulham, TGG understands.

The Portuguese manager, who was with the Toffees from May 2018 to December 2019 and has not managed since, was named as Fulham boss this evening.

The inner circle of five assistants he is reuniting at Craven Cottage are:

    Bruno Mendes (Head of Performance): Worked at Benfica for 17 years, setting up the famous Benfica Lab, before arriving at Everton in July 2018. Lasted just 17 months with the Toffees before he was sacked along with Silva.
    Luis Boa Morte (assistant): Made 250 appearances for Fulham as a player. Worked alongside Silva from June to December 2019 at Everton. Has just gained his Uefa Pro Licence from the English FA.
    Goncalo Pedro (first-team coach): Long-time lieutenant of Silva's. Worked with him at Estoril, Sporting Lisbon, Olympiakos, Hull, Watford and Everton.
    Hugo Oliveira (goalkeeper coach): Ebullient and highly experienced. Worked for Portugal and Benfica before linking up with Silva at Hull, Watford and Everton.
    Antonis Lemonakis (analyst): The only non-Portuguese member of Silva's inner circle and another Pro Licence coach. First worked with Silva at Olympiakos and has been with him ever since, at Hull, Watford and Everton.

Silva, 43, replaces Scott Parker, who moved to Bournemouth at the start of the week and took five assistants with him.



https://trainingground.guru/articles/marco-silva-reunites-everton-staff-at-fulham
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:34:44 AM
How Marco Silva masterminded Estoril's remarkable rise

You've probably read or remember all about Marco Silva's previous English adventures. Impressive with his back against the wall in a doomed relegation battle with Hull, his strong start at Watford was allegedly derailed by underhand approaches from Everton – whom he took to eighth in another excellent opening after finally being installed at Goodison Park before things fell apart. If you've only examined the Premier League record, it is easy to see why there are still plenty of question marks surrounding this Portuguese enigmatic. But Silva's first managerial experience – his role in the remarkable rise of Estoril – remains instructive in answering why the Fulham hierarchy have picked him as their successor to Scott Parker.

To call the young Silva's first job a steep learning curve is more than a mere understatement. He had retired after six seasons as Estoril's whole-hearted right back and was looking forward to learning his trade as a novice director of football at the second division outfit. He threw himself quickly into the role, persuading his old team-mates to stick with a struggling side, and acted as a bridge between the stalwarts of the dressing room and unproven new owners.

When things didn't go well on the field, those same owners made a bold call – they sacked Vinicius Eutrópio and handed the reigns to a 34 year-old without any managerial background to speak of. Silva took over with Estoril in tenth – in grave danger of dropping into the third tier – and the supporters had modest expectations, seeking a period of solidity, before perhaps turning to a more seasoned hand. Silva started with a defeat but then lost just three of their next 24 matches, winning the second division by five points and securing a promotion that is still marvelled at today.

Silva's intimate knowledge of the set-up, his modest nature and expertise at man management were all real assets. Captain Goncalo Santos raved about his impact. "All of the players believed in him. It was the best time for Estoril and a lot of players improved under him. The best quality is that he is like a friend, he asks everyone how they feel and he is always helping them. That's the kind of coach everybody likes, he is like a father." Goncalo still counts Silva as one of his closest friends today.

Very few observers gave Estoril much of a chance amongst the big boys. The papers tipped them they go straight back down. Silva tinkered with his tactics slightly, but remained largely true to the team that had delivered promotion. His faith was rewarded remarkably as Estoril finished fifth and qualifying for the Europa League for the first time in the club's history. They beat Sporting at home and drew with Benfica by adopting an adventurous passing style and pressing the opposition relentlessly.

It was assumed that this fluke couldn't be repeated especially as Silva's star players left for pastures now. Estoril lost leading scorer Steven Vitória on a Bosman, Licá and Carlos Eduardo to Porto, but Silva shopped smartly over the summer, bringing in defender Yohan Taveres and wingers Javier Balboa and Sebá, who quickly established themselves in a new-look side. The fundamentals of his approach didn't change – Estoril were just as fearless in their second season.

Silva's side were tough to beat at home, even though they struggled to attract more than a thousand home supporters, but were even more impressive on their travels. They notched up nine away wins – including Porto's first home league defeat in seven years – and beat Sporting 1-0 in a tactical masterclass that was widely recognised as being the result that persuaded the Lions to poach one of Europe's most promising coaches at the end of the season. Astonishingly, Estoril finished fourth assuring automatic qualification for the Europa League group stages this time.

Silva went on to enjoy success with Sporting, finishing third in the league, and delivering the club's first silverware in seven years after lifting the Portuguese Cup following a penalty shoot-out win over Braga. He shrugged off the setback of being dismissed five days later for not wearing the club's official suit by guiding Olympiacos to seventeen straight domestic wins – a continental 21st century record – on their way to winning the title with six games to spare. Silva oversaw a famous triumph over Arsene Wenger's Arsenal at the Emirates in 2015 and, far from being finished in English football as many leading correspondents claimed after his Everton sacking, he's relishing a new challenge in a country where he feels he has unfinished business.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/07/how-marco-silva-masterminded-estorils-remarkable-rise/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:35:53 AM
Boa's Back, the Silva Sweetener
Standpoints, in light of Marco Silva's appointment as Head Coach, are virtually split straight down the middle where optimism and pessimism's concerned. A manager that favours flare, enticement, Silva bears hallmarks of an innovator, yet when the going gets tough, his eye tends to wander, taking the easy way out of troubled waters when fresh opportunities beckon. He is not necessarily a builder of legacies, he starts hot and ends tepidly, although having taken an 18-month hiatus from the game, the 43-year-old now has a chance to compose something special, afresh, in SW6.


The Portuguese tactician's career in the dugout's staggered, with tenures reaching immeasurable heights of excitement to gloomy depths of despair but fear not, this sharply-cladded coach has a certain man by his side that understands precisely how our expectant club ticks, a sweetener in the Silva deal that goes by the fabled name of Luis Boa Morte Pereira.

A fellow countryman of Silva's, Boa Morte will enhance the Iberian spice that Silva will generously marinade our stale identity with, however I imagine the former juggernaut of an attacking midfielder will also seek to temper his partner's systematics in an advisory manner that prompts intelligence, method and sporadic lunacy, befittingly.

Hearts thumped frantically during his six-and-a-half year stay, his impulsiveness had backsides perched on the edge seats whenever his influence took centre stage at the Cottage, and beyond, and while he may only be our new head honcho's presumed second in command, Silva will soon know what it really means to lead our misguided club into battle.

Of course, Silva and Boa are no strangers to one another's coaching styles. Indeed, they temporarily conducted operations at Everton in 2019, although when we, a fan base starved of congruence, are clamouring for wholesale changes, this is the perfect tonic to soothe our collective angst, and it's a very astute decision from the Khans, Shahid and Tony, to employ a competent purveyor of practice with a partner that simply gets what we are all about.

Boa's personal first-team managerial resume may be limited – he's only taken charge of one senior outfit, Sport União Sintrense, of Portugal's third division, back in 2017 – although he is familiar to the customary routine training field rigours, as a respected figure of authority, and that is precisely how it was during his playing days. It's a fair reflection, having Boa back at Motspur Park, permanently, will feel like a brand new, bank-breaking signing to the entire camp and that has to be embraced and appreciated.

He's taken charge of Sporting CP's youth ranks, he's overseen operations at Portimonense SC's U23s, he assisted Marco Balbul's Maccabi Haifa, briefly, in 2019, and he was also a scout at Arsenal between July 2015 and January 2017. If anything, Luis' background experience bodes very well for our aspiring starlets, as he will recognise progression and ability within the likes of Fabio Carvalho, Jay Stansfield and Sylvester Jasper, among other promising students, naturally.

A wiggler of hips, a friend of the exhilarating, a breaker of ankles, a dismantler of opposing XIs, Luis will insight a resurgence within Fulham's forlorn playmakers, he will ignite the very fuse dampened by Scott Parker's obstructive blueprints and more importantly, he will reintroduce a vital feel-good factor that's been left to fester in the cold for far too long.

Yes, Silva certainly has a point to prove and doubters will regurgitate various mishaps and misfortunes of his previous ventures, but with his trusted compatriot by his side, daubed a legend by the supporters, the former Hull City, Watford and Toffees representative will surely steer the Whites towards the Premier League once more, because Boa lived and breathed that particular stage so radiantly.

Defining promotion against Huddersfield Town, terrorising that lot up the road with scandalous sorcery, Luis from Lisboa captured our imaginations, inspired a generation (of which I personally belong), and left the banks of the Thames in January, 2007, with our eternal love and gratitude. Now, 15-or-so-years later, he returns on a strict mission, motivated to stamp his influence, a second coming that's both divine and wholly essential. He boasts an affinity for the club and its following, and the sentiment's mutually shared.

Ola, Marco! Bem Vindo de Volta, Luis! Excuse the risky translations, blame it on Google, football's coming home, so is the Dead Snake, come on you shaggin' Whites!



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2021-07-01-boas-back-the-silva-sweetener/
Title: Re: Friday Fulham Stuff - 02/07/21...
Post by: WhiteJC on July 02, 2021, 12:36:20 AM
Silva sticks with tried and tested backroom team

Marco Silva will be reuniting with his trusted lieutenants as he takes charge at Fulham, according to Training Ground Guru.

The club's announcement of Silva as Scott Parker's successor at Craven Cottage only confirmed that Luis Boa Morte would be returning to his old club as assistant manager. Training Ground Guru reports that the Portuguese head coach will be recruiting the same five members of staff who worked under him in his last job at Everton.

These include Bruno Mendes, the head of performance who created the famous 'Benfica lab' during his time at the Portuguese giants, Goncalo Pedro, an experienced coach who has been at Silva's side throughout his managerial career, former Portugal national team goalkeeping coach Hugo Oliveria, who was part of Silva's team during his three previous English managerial reigns, and Greek analyst Antonis Lemonakis, who first worked with the new Fulham boss at Olympiacos.

Stuart Gray, who has been trusted to run pre-season training since Parker left for Bournemouth on Monday, is expected to remain on the Fulham coaching staff.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/07/silva-sticks-with-tried-and-tested-backroom-team/