Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has sent a heartfelt farewell message to coach Marco Silva following his departure to Portuguese giants Benfica, Soccernet.ng reports.
Over the past few months, Silva's future had been the subject of intense speculation in England. His contract was set to expire at the conclusion of the recently ended season, and the manager opted not to sign an extension.
The Portuguese tactician had been with the club since 2021, famously guiding the Cottagers to Premier League promotion.
Since their return to the top flight, he steered the team to consistent, comfortable mid-table finishes. Last season, he nearly led Fulham to a historic European qualification, as the side finished 11th—just two points shy of a Europa League spot.
Despite the club’s efforts to retain him, Silva decided to seek a new challenge. His appointment at the former Primera Liga champions, Benfica, was confirmed by top transfer specialists on Tuesday.
Calvin Bassey Sends Farewell Message to Former Fulham Boss Marco Silva
Following the announcement of Silva’s transfer to Benfica, Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey took to social media to express his gratitude toward his former boss.
On Instagram, Bassey wrote: “Thank you for everything boss, wishing you the best in the future.”
The sentiment is hardly a surprise, as Silva played a pivotal role in stabilizing Bassey’s career. The 26-year-old joined the Cottagers from Ajax in 2023, arriving in London with his reputation bruised after a difficult spell in the Netherlands.
Under Silva’s tutelage, however, Bassey has flourished, becoming one of the most reliable center-backs in the Premier League.
With Silva’s departure, questions now surround Bassey’s own future, as the defender enters the final year of his current contract.
There have been subtle talks regarding potential interest from top European clubs, but nothing substantial has materialized at this stage.
