Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey are preparing for a new era at Fulham after the confirmed departure of manager Marco Silva, the man who played a key role in rebuilding both players' careers at Craven Cottage, Soccernet.ng reports.
Silva will leave Fulham this summer when his contract expires at the end of June, bringing an end to a highly successful five-year spell in West London. The 48-year-old Portuguese coach has reportedly agreed to become the new manager of Benfica and is expected to sign a deal that will keep him in Lisbon until 2028.
His departure comes despite Fulham's efforts to keep him at the club. Reports indicate that the Premier League side offered Silva a lucrative three-year contract extension, but the former Everton and Watford manager chose a return to Portugal, where he will have the opportunity to compete for domestic honours and major European trophies.
Silva's final game in charge was a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on the last day of the season, a fitting ending to a spell that transformed Fulham from a Championship side into an established Premier League club.
Appointed in July 2021, Silva immediately guided Fulham back to the top flight by winning the Championship title in his first season. He then delivered four consecutive comfortable Premier League campaigns, including a club-record 54-point haul during the 2024-25 season. His longevity made him the second-longest-serving manager in the Premier League, behind only Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
In an emotional farewell message to supporters, Silva wrote:
“To our fans – I asked you, from day one, to always be with us. And that’s what you did these past five years. We achieved a lot together. My staff and I always felt your support. It will never be forgotten. Fulham will always be in my heart, and sooner or later I will be back at Craven Cottage.”
Fulham owner Shahid Khan also acknowledged the end of an era, saying:
“Marco Silva leaves our Club with my gratitude and best wishes. Fulham and Marco were an excellent fit for five seasons, but change is inevitable in this game, and we’ve accordingly prepared for this moment.
“We will soon appoint a new leader in a timely but deliberate manner, who will meet the standards of our Club and expectations of our fans throughout the world.”
Why Silva's exit matters for Super Eagles stars Iwobi and Bassey
Few players benefited more from Silva's management than Nigeria internationals Iwobi and Bassey.
Silva had previously worked with Iwobi at Everton and personally brought him to Fulham in 2023. Under his guidance, the midfielder developed into one of the most versatile players in the squad, operating as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder and winger whenever required. Silva regularly praised the Nigerian's adaptability, describing him as “a key player in any position he plays.”
Iwobi's importance to Fulham became even more evident as he reached 100 appearances for the club. During the 2025-26 Premier League season, he made 29 league appearances, scored four goals and created 38 chances as Fulham secured another stable campaign.
Bassey's rise under Silva has been equally impressive. After a difficult spell at Ajax, the defender arrived in London in 2023 and quickly became a cornerstone of Fulham's defence. Silva placed enormous trust in him, helping him improve his positioning, passing range and composure while making him the club's first-choice left-sided centre-back.
The Portuguese coach's admiration for both players was evident ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when Nigeria called them up for international duty. Faced with losing two of his most important players, Silva admitted:
“We are talking about starting XI players. Alex is a key player in any position he plays. The importance of Calvin… You have to find solutions.”
Bassey also spoke warmly about his manager's influence, describing Silva as “one of the best managers in the Premier League” and crediting him for helping the team achieve significant progress.
Now, with Silva heading to Benfica, Fulham must find a successor capable of maintaining the standards he established. Names such as Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, Oliver Glasner, Filipe Luís, Liam Rosenior and Graham Potter have all been linked with the vacancy.
Whoever arrives next will inherit two established Premier League performers in Iwobi and Bassey. However, replacing the manager who revived their careers and made them central figures in Fulham's rise may prove far more difficult.
