Fulham manager Marco Silva pledges future to Cottagers until 2026; Silva had initially been reluctant to commit to new deal when first offered in July; club finished 10th in Premier League under his leadership last season
Tuesday 24 October 2023 16:50, UK
Fulham manager Marco Silva has signed a new three-year deal to remain at Craven Cottage until 2026, three months after he was first offered fresh terms.
Silva's existing deal was due to expire at the end of June. He led Fulham back to the Premier League from the Championship in his first season in charge, before guiding them to 10th, their highest league finish in 11 years, in May.
He was first offered a new contract in July this year, shortly after turning down a big-money offer to manage in Saudi Arabia, but Sky Sports News reported he was reluctant to put pen to paper at the time.
This season Fulham sit 13th in the table after nine games, but only a point off the top half.
Speaking to the club website, Silva said: "I'm really pleased to sign a new contract as it was something we had been discussing for some time. It's always a good sign when both parties are happy and want to continue working together.
"I feel that the business is not done yet, we've had two great seasons, and the goal is clearly there to sustain this club in the Premier League. This is key for the future of this club, and we are working hard to achieve it.
"It is important to feel the trust and have the support of our owners. My relationship with them, and with Fulham as a whole, has been really important in this decision and the success of the last two seasons.
"The commitment and ambition that these players have demonstrated since day one has been the key to what we have achieved, and that will always continue to be the case, along with the unconditional support of our fans, who are fundamental. Let's continue together on this long journey."
Silva has won 51, drawn 21 and lost 33 of his 105 games in charge of the west London club.
Tottenham returned to the top of the table after beating Fulham 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Ange Postecoglou set a Premier League record for the best start by a manager after nine games.
Goals from Heung-min Son (36) and James Maddison (54), the two players filling the void left by Harry Kane, secured the three points which knock Man City off top spot. Fulham failed to cope with Spurs' relentless pressure from the front with Calvin Bassey losing possession on the edge of his box for both goals.
Postecoglou now has 23 points in his first nine games, which surpasses the previous best set by ex-Chelsea head coach Guus Hiddink and former Norwich boss Mike Walker (22). The Australian has transformed Spurs in less than four months and put them firmly in contention for Champions League qualification and perhaps more.
Fulham battled hard to fend off Spurs, and were denied by two fantastic Guglielmo Vicario saves in each half, but were always second best to Postecoglou's tireless Spurs team and failed to recover after the second goal. They stay in 16th with just two wins in their last eight league games.
