Fulham are now searching for a new manager following official confirmation that Marco Silva will depart Craven Cottage in order to succeed Jose Mourinho at Benfica
Kieran McKenna is Fulham’s top target to replace Marco Silva(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Kieran McKenna is understood to be keen on replacing Marco Silva at Fulham, though it would cost the Londoners £8million in compensation to prise him away from Ipswich Town.
After weeks of speculation that Silva could be leaving Craven Cottage after being targeted by Benfica, Fulham confirmed on Tuesday that their long-serving Portuguese manager had indeed decided to move on. The search for a successor to Silva, who helped Fulham consolidate in the Premier League during his reign, has already begun, with McKenna being strongly linked to the role.
McKenna’s stock remains high after masterminding a third promotion in four years to secure an instant return to the Premier League for Ipswich, who were languishing in League One when the Northern Irishman took charge back in 2021.
According to talkSPORT, not only is McKenna Fulham’s first-choice to replace Silva, but the 40-year-old is also interested in moving to west London.
One possible obstacle to any deal may be the significant compensation terms in McKenna’s contract: it will now cost £8m for any interested party to take him away from Portman Road following Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League.
Thomas Frank is mentioned as an alternative target, with the Dane currently unattached after being sacked by Tottenham back in February.
McKenna was the subject of strong interest from rival clubs when he first guided Ipswich to the Premier League back in the summer of 2024, including Chelsea and Manchester United.
He subsequently stayed put, signing a new contract. And while he was unable to prevent Ipswich from getting relegated, he remained in Suffolk to oversee an instant return to the top-flight.
Silva is heading to Benfica after five years in charge of Fulham(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Silva achieved Fulham’s highest ever Premier League points tally and win total during his premiership and was offered a new contract by the club before opting to move on. He is poised to replace Jose Mourinho at Benfica.
Fulham’s owner, Shahid Khan, paid tribute to Silva’s excellent work and alluded to the fact that the club had plans in place should their manager decide not to extend his contract.
“Fulham and Marco were an excellent fit for five seasons, but change is inevitable in this game and we’ve accordingly prepared for this moment,” he said in a statement.
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