Portuguese club Benfica have reached an agreement with Marco Silva to become their new head coach following the departure of Jose Mourinho, who is set to return to Real Madrid.
Silva, 48, recently ended his five-year tenure as Fulham manager after his contract at Craven Cottage expired.
Benfica confirmed that the former Hull City, Watford and Everton boss is expected to sign a deal running until the end of the 2027-28 season, with an option to extend it for an additional year.
The appointment comes as Benfica formally announced Mourinho’s exit from the Estadio da Luz.
According to the club, Real Madrid will pay €15 million (£13 million) in compensation to secure the services of the veteran Portuguese manager.
In a statement, Benfica said Mourinho had agreed to the move, bringing an end to his second spell in charge of the club’s professional football team.
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Mourinho, 63, took over at Benfica in September and guided the team to a third-place finish in the Primeira Liga while overseeing an unbeaten league campaign.
His return to Real Madrid marks a reunion with the Spanish giants, where he previously enjoyed a successful spell between 2010 and 2013.
During that period, he won the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
Silva’s arrival is expected to usher in a new era for Benfica as the club looks to build on its recent performances and challenge for domestic and European honours in the coming seasons.
