Marco Silva described Everton as a "fascinating club" as he reflected on his time on Merseyside
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Updated 11:58, 27 Mar 2025
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 1: Marco Silva of Everton during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Everton at The King Power Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)
Marco Silva pictured during his time in charge of Everton(Image: Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)
Marco Silva believes Everton is a much bigger club than people outside the UK tend to realise. The former Blues boss hailed the club as “fascinating” with a “tremendous history” in a wide-ranging interview with Portuguese outlet A Bola.
The current Fulham boss, who has also managed Watford and Hull City since moving to England after stints with Estoril, Sporting and Olympiacos, was in charge at Goodison Park across 2018 and 2019.
Reflecting on his experience, the 47-year-old said: “It’s a fascinating club, it’s a huge challenge to be in charge of Everton. I understand that in Portugal people don’t really understand the importance I’m giving to the club, but those who are in England, who work in England and who have in-depth knowledge of English football understand what I’m saying.
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“Before this Manchester City avalanche, Everton were the fifth or sixth club with the most league titles and titles in England, but in recent years that situation has reversed.
“However, Everton have a tremendous history, but at the moment, due to recent events, they are aiming for different goals.”
Silva took over in May 2018, leading the club through the following summer before an eighth-placed finish. He was dismissed midway through the following season after a 5-2 defeat to Liverpool left the Blues in the relegation zone.
Looking back at his time with the club, he believes he helped change the style of play, having taken over from Sam Allardyce, and that he invested in younger players.
But Silva pointed to a difference between the ambitions of the club and what he believed was realistic, adding: “When I was there, and then with Ancelotti [Carlo, who replaced him], the club always wanted to be in the top eight.
“But there was a divergence between the fans’ soul and what was actually possible to achieve, creating the idea that defeat was felt in a fateful way.”