Fulham manager Marco Silva has once again found himself dragged into Benfica rumours, and this time a flight to London is helping drive the noise.
Reports in Portugal over recent weeks have repeatedly described the Fulham manager as one of the leading profiles admired at the Estádio da Luz.
His knowledge of Portuguese football, combined with years of Premier League experience, makes him an obvious candidate from Benfica’s point of view.
Then there is the Sporting CP factor. Silva coached Sporting CP before moving to England and won the Taça de Portugal there. Benfica still see that background as a positive because he already understands the pressure and politics of managing in Lisbon.
Trip with Mourinho adds to the buzz
Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã reports Marco Silva, who had been in Portugal enjoying a couple of days off, travelled back to England on Tuesday morning on the same commercial flight as José Mourinho.
Normally, that would not mean much, of course. Right now, though, it is exactly the sort of thing that gets people talking in Portugal.
Silva remains Benfica president Rui Costa’s preferred option if Mourinho leaves this summer. With that hanging over the situation, the image of both managers boarding the same plane naturally created another round of speculation around the Fulham boss.
Both men reportedly refused to comment when approached by Portuguese media at Lisbon Airport before boarding the flight. Mourinho was specifically asked about Benfica and the reason for his trip, but stayed silent. Silva also avoided questions about his own future.
According to the report, Mourinho arrived first at the departures area of Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport shortly before the flight, which left around 6am local time. Silva reportedly appeared about 10 minutes later before boarding the same plane to London.
Benfica links are not going away
Mourinho’s own position has become increasingly uncomfortable. Benfica’s 2-2 draw against Braga this week brought another wave of frustration from supporters after they lost second place to Sporting.
In the meanwhile, this week we’ve seen tons of Real Madrid speculation regarding Mourinho. Some reports even claim he is certain to step in to Álvaro Arbeloa’s seat in Santiago Bernabéu. So that has only pushed the rumours further.
Correio da Manhã says Mourinho travelled to London to spend time with family members who live there. The trip had reportedly already been planned, and he is expected back in Portugal in time to prepare Benfica for Saturday’s final league match against Estoril.
One small detail from the report also caught attention locally. Mourinho travelled on a commercial flight this time, unlike at the end of April, when he reportedly took a private jet to Milan from Tires Airport for commercial commitments.
“It seems a little unusual”
The story quickly became a major talking point in Portugal after details of the flight emerged.
Local newspaper Record deputy director Vítor Pinto called the situation “an extraordinary coincidence”.
“What seems less normal to me is that, in a decisive week, in the final week of the championship, with Benfica facing Estoril in the last match, José Mourinho feels the need to make this lightning trip,” he said.
Pinto added that Mourinho is normally completely locked into football during key moments of the season, which made the timing stand out even more from his perspective.
“It seems a little unusual. He has such a focus on objectives that, in a final week like this, with the situation Benfica are in, maybe I would think José Mourinho would not make a trip that involves this kind of lightning travel.”
At the same time, the journalist stopped short of trying to turn the situation into a conspiracy. He suggested Mourinho may simply have needed personal space during a difficult moment behind the scenes at Benfica.
“The times are turbulent, there is a lot happening behind the scenes. I can accept that José Mourinho himself may need this time and this personal space.”
Fulham still waiting on clarity
From Fulham’s perspective, this situation is becoming harder to ignore.
Silva is out of contract at the end of the season and there is still no public sign of a renewal breakthrough. Portuguese media continue to insist he is preparing to end his five-year spell at Craven Cottage. In Brazil, however, there are claims that Fulham is already preparing his successor.
Either way, the club are approaching a huge summer window and Silva remains central to recruitment plans and the overall direction of the squad.
According to Correio da Manhã, Silva had travelled to Portugal during his time off – something he regularly does – before returning early enough to oversee Fulham training ahead of Sunday’s match against Wolverhampton, who have already been relegated from the Premier League.
In reality, the two managers probably just happened to be on the same flight.
Still, given Benfica’s interest in Silva and Mourinho’s uncertain position, there was almost no chance that detail would pass quietly in Portugal.
