Genius, n. & adj. An exceptionally intelligent or talented person, or one with exceptional skill in a particular area.
When Marco Silva took over freshly relegated Fulham in July 2021, even the most optimistic fan couldn’t have predicted the level of dominance he delivered in his first season.
The sublime became normal, with his handbrake-off approach regularly producing standout scorelines en route to Premier League promotion at the first attempt.
In January, after running riot with a 7-0 win at Reading – their second seven-goal haul of the season – Fulham followed up with successive 6-2 victories at home. Eight days. Three games. 19 goals.
SilvaBall™️ had arrived in SW6.

Aleksandar Mitrović, already highly thought of by the SW6 faithful, reached new heights with a 43-goal haul that broke decades-old scoring records. Harry Wilson made 32 goal contributions, with Neeskens Kebano and Fabio Carvalho making up one of the most potent attacks the second tier has ever seen.
It was yet another 7-0 victory – Luton the victims this time – that secured the title, although it had been a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ Fulham would become Champions long before that memorable Cottage night.
When future debates are held over who the best Championship team of all time is, Marco Silva’s Fulham will be right up there.
2021/22 | Sky Bet Championship | 1st

That wasn’t enough for Fulham to escape their “yo-yo” title from critics, but Marco made a mockery of those tipping his side for relegation in the following season, as he put an end to the Club’s unwanted up-down-up-down pattern.
A 2-2 opening day draw with Liverpool, who had finished second the season prior and were holders of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, showed that we meant business, and we eventually finished 10th.
In Marco’s first campaign with Fulham, he ended the Club’s 21-year wait for a league title. In his second, he equalled their record Premier League points tally.
2022/23 | Premier League | 10th

There was no let-up in 2023/24, with back-to-back 5-0 wins at the Cottage - against Nottingham Forest and West Ham - bringing back memories of that Championship dominance.
And a Carabao Cup run that had fans dreaming of a trip to Wembley was just cut short by a Liverpool side who edged the Semi-Final across two legs. It was the furthest Fulham had ever reached in the competition.
Despite the records and achievements, one boast that eluded Marco’s side was a scalp over the traditional ‘Big 6’, with late goals and refereeing decisions conspiring against us in close-fought battles against the league's elite.
Even that jinx came crashing down as Marco masterminded memorable victories over Arsenal and Spurs on home turf, while a 97th-minute winner against Man United sealed a first win at Old Trafford in 21 years.
2023/24 | Premier League | 13th

However, measuring Marco’s success shouldn’t be limited by looking at his on-pitch achievements; off the pitch, he’s helped cultivate a culture that breathes ambition and helps players flourish. Particularly, his man management skills have been praised.
Raúl Jimenéz hadn’t scored a Premier League goal in more than a year when he signed for Fulham. He went from ending his 612-day wait, to becoming a dependable goalscorer once again.
Rodrigo Muniz exploded midway through 2023/24, and in March became the first Fulham player since Mark Schwarzer to win the Premier League’s Player of the Month.

Raúl’s resurgence and Rodrigo’s rise is testament to the coaching of Marco, who has earned a deserved reputation of being able to bring the best out of his players.
His squad have described him as ambitious and demanding, and while never one to over-indulge in sentimentality, respect is a key component of Marco’s character.
He may have picked up his fair share of yellow cards following fiery behaviour on the touchline, but his dignity and class have always shone through.

It’s for all these reasons and more that Marco has become so popular with the Fulham faithful, with chants of “He’s a geeee-ni-us” belted from the Hammy End week after week.
Should he take charge of 150 more games, and should they go as well as his first 150, he'll be well on his way to earning a place among the Club's finest managers.
