The work Marco Silva did at Fulham was simply outstanding.

After selling their best forwards and midfielders and losing their highest centre-back for free in a row of summers, he improved them with limited resources every season.

They are now eighth in the Premier League after beating champion Liverpool this season and competing for the second team in Europe – at Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brighton, Brighton and even Bournemouth are challenging the established top six.

Silva is in charge of Fulham’s performance poses a question: how much progress Silva has to improve before he gets the top position and how many Premier League games Silva needs to win?

The 47-year-old ran at Manchester United last summer when they studied many potential replacements for Erik Ten Hag and decided to get the Dutch into the season.

When the inevitable change happens later in 2024, Manchester United opted not to return to any candidates, but instead headed in a new direction with Silva’s countryman Ruben Amorim.

Silva may feel wronged because he is not the first choice Portuguese coach to turn around and unify. If what they want is someone to organize the current team and start winning Premier League games, Silva has been doing that at Fulham.

If what they want is someone performing talent beyond expectations, Silva has been doing this in Fulham. If what they want is someone who develops young talent, Silva has also been doing this for Fulham.

If what they want is managerSomeone instilled the right culture through the club and handled the media well; Silva has also been doing this in Fulham. Once seen as a young coach, he is now an experienced and complete package.

After becoming the guy in the fall during the chaos behind Everton (even Carlo Ancelotti couldn’t arrest), Silva had a chance to redemption.

He returned himself to the map of European elite managers with a hard championship promotion and consistently won better league titles, all without budget and tools, which many larger but underperforming clubs have.

Fulham’s recruitment was led primarily by Silva, and almost everyone was wise, especially when facing the replacement of Alexandar Mitrovic and his 111 goals, it was arguably the club’s best midfielder in the Joao Palhinha generation, leaving a strong center tosin in Chelsea.

Fulham hasn’t spent much money yet. Silva signed Raul Jimenez to replace Mitrovic in the development of Rodrigo Muniz and Burnley’s Sander Berge. Joachim Anderson returned to the club from Crystal Palace to replace the Turks, while only Emile Smith Rowe was the only other real purchase last year.

Silva improved the individuals he had, especially this season, with Antonee Robinson and Alex Iwobi enjoying particularly excellent seasons. They have made a huge contribution to a balanced, good and liquid equipment and are able to adapt to various opponents at home and abroad.

As a result, Fulham was 9 points and five positions after 31 games last semester and quietly secured its position in Europe next season.

West Ham, Benfica and Saudi Pro League all wanted Silva during the Craven Cottage, but despite a larger offer, he remained loyal to become the fourth-longest service manager in the Premier League.

But it’s no surprise that bigger clubs ask him about this summer and give him the next chance he deserves.