Whispers

Marco Silva’s expiring contract makes for an intriguing West Ham scenario

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While it has been widely reported that West Ham are only considering managers that are currently out of work for the role that Graham Potter is likely to relinquish in the near future, Martin’s earlier article shows there may be finally some movement on that front by West Ham’s board.

One name, who is widely admired by David Sullivan has been discussed by the board, and would cost the Hammers a mighty £8.6m! This from a clause his club put in place when he signed a new contract in October 2023. The manager in question is Marco Silva, currently manager of London rivals Fulham who sit in eighth place with two wins, two draws and one loss.

Ironically, Silva’s current contracts expires at the end of this season, and the Portuguese manager is yet to sign an extension.
There are some reports suggesting this is why West Ham are looking for a short term option, with a view to approaching Silva for the role next year.

The 48 year old transitioned into management in 2011 where he guided minnows Estoril into the Primeira Liga. In 2014 he joined Portugese giants Sporting CP, finishing third and won the Taca De Portugal. Then in 2015-2016 at Olympiakos he won the Greek Super League with a 79.17% win rate. In 2017 he suffered relegation with Hull City, yet earned plaudits for revitalising the squad. He then joined Watford and had his head turned by Everton where he struggled for consistency and was sacked in 2019. Craven Cottage has been his home since 2021 where he achieved promotion to the Premier League and stabilised the club with a number of top ten finishes.

Silva’s hallmark is attacking football with tactical flexibility, and his work at Fulham has been particularly impressive, which has not gone unnoticed by the West Ham board. Stories in the media rumoured Silva to be the favoured option of Hammers’ shareholder Daniel Kretinsky: No substance that we know of, but yet the rumours persist.

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I have been a season ticket holder since the late eighties, so experienced the highs and lows of being a West Ham supporter. I previously wrote for OLAS and have contributed to a number of football publications in the past.

16 comments

  • OLIVER says:

    Who would want to come to West Ham with the lyier Sullivan in charge

  • Ant says:

    All this manager talk linking with a plethora of names is mainly a diversionary tactic from the real problems at the club, Sullivan and Brady.

    While we await an action to replace Potter, Sullivan and Brady get respite from the fans pressure to oust them from the club. This is why it is not a quick decision to bring success, but a prolonged and protracted search for a manager with excessive media coverage and giving Potter a few games to try and change something.

    It is clear both Sullivan and Brady are not accepting they are the cause, and while the managerial shenanigans continue, they will see this as a means to appease the fans and hopefully in their own minds remove them from any blame.

    We are not that fickle.

  • West Ham Fan No 32 says:

    Ten Hag being rumoured for the job… failed hard at Utd and in Germany just what we need, not enough we buy players that are crocks we are now trying to do the same with managers.

  • Sage says:

    If it were me looking to appoint someone I would break the bank to bring in Glasner. He impressed me when we played Frankfurt in the EL semi’s and since he’s been at Palace he’s set them on fire. Him, Wirtz and Kamada are the reason we didn’t get to play Champions League football.
    And because the way I would have approach the task, we wouldn’t have been in this ridiculous situation but Klopp is someone else I would look to get on board I’m sure if the right money was offered…
    Marco is a good manager but he would be third on my list to bring in

  • Marbs Hammer says:

    Pleased to see Chris’s comment ( sensible And ambitious ). What a change that would make for this board. For me Silva is a must for West Ham ,We are made for each other ,He already lives in London and in my opinion a tough no nonsense manager loads of experience at a young age..Plus he plays a good brand of football just imagine where we would be now if this guy had spent Moyes & lopy’s big money windows…

  • K says:

    According to the daily star Erik ten Hag is eyeing the West Ham job. Of course he is. Useless at Man U. Sacked after three games at Bater Leverkusen. Perfect for West Ham.

  • Jeff says:

    Most of the goals we’ve conceded are from set pieces. We don’t need a new manager we need a set piece coach.

  • Taffyhammer says:

    For heaven’s sake. Silva is not the solution. He has failed at ‘bigger’ clubs and would be as successful here as Graham Potter has been so far.

    Guys out of their depth.

  • Mick Bering says:

    Would be a good shout

  • AM says:

    That’s 1 manager I would back

  • Darkhorse says:

    We certainly need a manager that realises attack is the best form of defence

  • Muzza says:

    Yes please

  • Zahama says:

    Unfortunately with the current circus of interviewing potential new managers when the current manager is still in place – we would have to ask “Why would Silva want to leave Fulham where he is doing well to join our chaos?”

  • ExPatHammer says:

    8 mil is a lot less than we’d lose with relegation. Not saying we should go grab this guy. What do I know about managers.

  • Chris says:

    At last a sensible and ambitious option. On that basis it won’t happen

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