The former Fulham boss returns to Portuguese football to lead one of Europe's most storied clubs, replacing José Mourinho.
Marco Silva is heading home. Benfica have officially confirmed the Portuguese manager as their new head coach on a two-plus-one year deal, bringing his five-year stint at Fulham to an end.
The contract runs until June 2028, with an option to extend through 2029.
From Craven Cottage to the Estádio da Luz
Silva’s departure from Fulham was announced around June 2, 2026, capping a half-decade at the West London club.
He replaces José Mourinho, who is expected to take over at Real Madrid.
For Silva, this is a return to Portuguese top-flight football after years of building his reputation across England. He previously managed Estoril, Sporting CP, and Hull City before his well-documented stints at Watford, Everton, and eventually Fulham.
What it means for the BENFICA fan token
Benfica operates a fan token through the Socios.com platform, built on the Chiliz blockchain. The BENFICA token gives holders voting rights on minor club decisions and access to exclusive experiences. Transactions require CHZ, the native token of the Chiliz network.
The research notes no direct connection between the managerial change and any developments in Benfica’s crypto activities. Benfica’s fan token initiatives through Socios.com predate the coaching announcement.
The two-plus-one contract structure suggests Benfica aren’t looking for a quick fix, with the deal running until June 2028 with an option to 2029.
