Benfica to target Fulham’s Marco Silva if they lose José Mourinho to Real Madrid

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.

Chelsea also have Silva on their shortlist as they look for a replacement for Liam Rosenior, who was fired last month. The club are prepared to wait until the season is over before making an appointment and are understood to regard Xabi Alonso as their ideal candidate.

Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2024, has been out of work since his dismissal by Madrid this season. The Spaniard is thought to want his next job to be in England and has been on Chelsea’s radar for at least three years. Liverpool have been mentioned as a possible destination should they part company with Arne Slot.

Chelsea have made checks on Andoni Iraola, who is leaving Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, who are losing Oliver Glasner, also want Iraola. Chelsea are monitoring Glasner and have looked at their former left-back Filipe Luís, who is waiting for his next role . Luis was considered before in January.