Mourinho expected to return to Bernabéu
Chelsea also keen on Silva, but Alonso is their first choice
Benfica will target Fulham’s Marco Silva as their manager if they lose José Mourinho to Real Madrid. Mourinho is Madrid’s preferred choice and talks have taken place over the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager returning to the Bernabéu.
Benfica do not want to lose the 63-year-old, who was hired last September, but need a contingency plan. They are looking at Silva as a potential replacement for Mourinho, who is expected to agree to a second spell at Madrid 13 years after his first ended.
Fulham want to keep Silva and have offered him a new contract, but the 48-year-old is yet to decide whether it is time for a new challenge. Silva lifted the club into the Premier League in 2022 and has established them there, but they have struggled to sustain a push for European qualification. Moving to Benfica, who are second to Porto in Portugal, would give him the chance to coach in the Champions League.
