“It’s a fascinating club, it’s a huge challenge to be in charge of Everton”- Marco Silva Breaks Silence on the ‘Huge Challenge’ that nearly DESTROYED his Everton career
Marco Silva faced a challenging tenure at Everton.
The former Watford boss had a promising start at Goodison Park, guiding the team to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League during the 2018/19 season.
However, just 18 months into his reign, the 47-year-old was dismissed in December 2019 after a 5-2 loss to Liverpool left the club in the relegation zone.
Since then, Silva has found success with Fulham, leading the club to the brink of a potential Champions League spot.
Silva Reflects on Everton Struggles
Despite his tough spell at Everton, Silva has bounced back and is impressing with his current team in the Premier League.
In a recent interview, the Portuguese manager revealed that he still considers Everton to be the biggest club he’s managed and discussed the disparity between the high expectations and the reality he faced at Goodison Park.
“I know that in Portugal, people don’t fully grasp the importance I place on the club, but those who understand English football, and work in England, get what I mean,” he explained in an interview with A Bola (March 27).
“It’s a fascinating club, and managing Everton was a massive challenge.
Before the Manchester City dominance, Everton was one of the top five or six clubs in terms of league titles in England, but recent years have seen that change.
However, the club still has a rich history, even though its goals have shifted in the current context.”
“When I was there, and under Ancelotti, the goal was always to finish in the top eight.
However, there was a disconnect between the expectations of the fans and the reality of what was achievable, leading to a feeling that defeat was disastrous.”
Everton and Silva: A Case of Right Place, Wrong Time
It seems clear that Silva has a deep admiration for Everton and its fans, and his success at Fulham has solidified his reputation as a top manager.
Perhaps his time at Everton was simply a matter of poor timing, with the influence of sporting director Marcel Brands and owner Farhad Moshiri hindering his progress.
Had he been in charge under the current Friedkin Group ownership, with the potential for better investment in transfers and a stronger squad, it could have been a different story—one where Silva, like David Moyes, could thrive with a more robust team.
If and when the Blues part ways with Moyes, which doesn’t seem likely given his ongoing unbeaten run, Silva could be a strong candidate to return and rectify the mistakes of his first stint at Goodison.
It’s a plausible scenario, given his success at Fulham, but Everton would likely face competition, particularly from Tottenham, should they seek a new manager if Ange Postecoglou leaves.
