Marco Silva explains why he left Fulham in his press conference as new Benfica head coach

Marco Silva explains why he left Premier League side Fulham in his press conference as new Benfica head coach.

He spoke the decision behind his exit from Fulham, explained reason for a move to Benfica move and was also spoken about rumours he could take Fulham players with him.

Silva spent five years with the Cottagers, managing 229 games, won 104, drew 42 and lost 83, also the 2021/22 Championship champions with 106 record points, and made Fulham a strong mid-table side in the Premier League despite having a very low budget.

On rumours of Harry Wilson, if he’s already suggested any names from Fulham to President Rui Costa, and if you’re bringing part of the Fulham coaching staff with you, Silva said, as per www.slbenfica.pt, translated to English:

Yes, most of the coaching staff will be joining me in this endeavour. You’ll find out in due course who the members are and how the coaching staff will be structured. As for signings or potential signings, I won’t single out any specific players, because if I answer that question, your colleagues will then ask me about other positions. At this point, there are no Fulham players currently being considered for a move to Benfica.

Interviewer: I’d like to go back a bit and ask you how that conversation with President Rui Costa went. Was it easy and quick to tell him yes, that you’d accept the offer to come to Benfica?

Silva: The conversation was straightforward. Above all, the President expressed his interest very clearly. Benfica, at that moment, needed a coach and was looking for what it considered to be the best fit for the project. At the time, I showed openness. And I won’t hide the fact that, if you had asked me 4 or 5 months ago whether my goal was to return to Portugal, I would likely have said no. There was a phone call from the President, and my response was clearly to leave the door open. I said it was something that excited me, something I aspired to, and that if it were to happen, I would be ready for it. That was the first conversation. It was the expression of interest. And, naturally, everything unfolded in a positive and clear manner, which is what matters most.

Interviewer: I’m not going to ask you if you feel like you’re a second or third choice, but the fact is that yesterday [June 11] the president of Benfica said he wanted José Mourinho to be the coach next season. How did you interpret those words, those statements, and what is your stance on them? And by the way, when did you first hear about Benfica’s interest?

Silva: For me, it’s very simple to answer that question, and I have no problem doing so. And if you want to ask whether I was the second or third choice, I have no problem with that either. The first time the President contacted me and we spoke, he clearly asked me if I wanted to be Benfica’s coach, if I was willing to return to Portugal to represent Sport Lisboa e Benfica. And at that moment, they were looking for a coach. What I was asked was: “Are you willing to come? Do you think it’s time to return to Portugal and represent Benfica? You will be Benfica’s coach”. So, when this happens, it means that Benfica was looking for a coach and it means that I was the first choice for the President of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. This, for me, is the most important thing. I’m not interested in what’s in the past. I don’t even waste time thinking about it. The invitation was clear, very open, and my answer was also clear.

Interviewer: My question is: how do you plan to lead Benfica to the championship? Because Benfica has had several talented coaches over the years, but not all of them have been successful. What makes you believe that you will be successful and win titles with Benfica?

Silva: If I didn’t believe it, I certainly wouldn’t be here. Anyone who comes into this club has to believe they’re here to be champions. And I sincerely believe very, very, very much that I, together with my coaching staff and the group of players we have, which we will naturally strengthen as well, are clearly capable of contributing to Benfica and making Benfica champions. To make Benfica increasingly competitive at every level so that, in the end, we can earn what matters most at this club: the chance to celebrate titles. Because we all know how difficult it is. We’re not going to pretend it will be easy. We have strong competitors; we have quality teams we’ll face every week, but the goal is clear: to be champions. I don’t want to get into comparisons with those who were here in the past, great coaches, coaches of the highest caliber, and squads of equally high calibre. It’s not my place to comment on the reasons why they were or weren’t successful. It’s my job to look ahead and bring the positivity that’s important for Benfica right now. To bring the positivity and confidence that the fans need right now for Benfica’s football team. And that’s why I’m here.

Interviewer: Why leave what many consider the best league in the world, where some of the highest salaries in world football are paid, for the Portuguese League and Benfica, at a time when Benfica isn’t playing in the Champions League?

Silva: That’s the reality. And I’m not going to say whether the decision was easy or difficult; I don’t want to get too deep into that. You know my connection to the Premier League. For some reason, I’ve been out of the country for almost 12 years, 10 of which were in England. And it’s for a clear reason: it’s a country where I felt very at home, and it’s a style of football I identify with. It took a lot of effort to build and establish a name for myself, so it wasn’t an easy decision. You mentioned Portuguese football, but more importantly, you mentioned Benfica. And that, for me, was very important. The emotional aspect played a major role in my decision. Feeling that the challenge is enormous, that the challenge is huge. When Benfica isn’t winning, the challenge is always greater. When Benfica is winning, the challenge is huge; when Benfica isn’t winning, I believe it’s gigantic. And we’re ready for it. There’s no other reason, other than the name Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

He was asked about facing the pressure Benfica, the expectation to get the club back to being in a title challenge, different when he moved to England, managing clubs that weren’t competing for the title.

Interviewer: I ask you if this is the biggest challenge of your career because, for the first time in one of the major leagues, so to speak, you’ll be competing for titles. Does that put more pressure on you?

Silva: I didn’t start at Sporting; I started at Estoril as a coach. I think it’s important to mention that, because that’s where it all began, and I’m very proud of that project. Then, naturally, all the other clubs came along. The first major trophy, one that really matters, regardless of having won the league with Estoril in our first season and having secured two European qualifications, wasn’t a physical trophy, but perhaps it’s worth more than a physical trophy at Estoril-Praia. And, as you mentioned, it’s obvious that not all clubs have the capacity to compete for titles. In different leagues and under different circumstances, the reality is that we were always in positions and at clubs that provided the conditions to compete for titles. I’m not saying we won them all, but those seasons ended with titles. It’s worth mentioning that as well. Just look at clubs of that caliber and with the ability to compete for titles and see what the final result was. It wasn’t all perfect. It’s difficult to win every title at any club in the world. And Benfica is one of the world’s great clubs. Naturally, it’s always very difficult. I understand the point that in England I was at clubs that don’t compete for titles. Being at Benfica right now doesn’t put any more or less pressure on me. It brings responsibility. Pressure, honestly, is something I always try to instill in my players and those who work with me. If it’s not there, I’m the first to create it. I’ve been at a few clubs where there wasn’t much of it, and those who work with me know that I’m the first to create it, in various ways. Fortunately for us, at Benfica that won’t be necessary, because the greatness, the scale, and the nature of the next game bring it naturally. And, honestly, I feel that this pressure is a privilege. If we want to be at this level, if we want to be at a club of this stature, if we want to be at the highest level of football, the pressure has to be a privilege. Obviously, there will be moments when it’s really intense, and we’ll have to be able to handle it. There will also be moments when we’ll be able to enjoy it. That’s kind of what life as a coach is like. In the positive moments, a victory, there’s almost no time to celebrate. There’s time to live in that moment and then start preparing for the next step. I also know that, in the less positive moments, and I don’t want to be talking about defeat, the pressure falls entirely on the coach. And that’s no problem at all. I’m prepared for that, because I feel that this pressure is a privilege, and I feel privileged to be here.