Marco Silva targets next step in Fulham transformation

Marco Silva insists he will “never change” as Fulham prepare for a defining stretch of their season, with the head coach highlighting both the club’s “huge transformation” and the need for greater consistency in pursuit of European qualification.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of his 200th game in charge, Silva reflected on his enduring intensity and the progress made since taking over at Craven Cottage. He made clear that the work is far from complete.

“Probably, I'm never going to change,” Silva said with a smile when asked about his relentless approach.

The Portuguese coach admitted that even after several years in west London, he has not found a way to switch off from the demands of management.

“My job is the way I live something that I love, football,” he explained. “I don't know another way to be in football, another way to be every single day with my players, another way to make them better every single day and to make the club progress and grow.”

Since guiding Fulham to the Championship title in his first season, Silva has overseen Premier League finishes of 10th, 13th and 11th. Last season brought a club-record 54 points in the top flight, underlining the structural progress made.

Having followed Fulham closely over the past few campaigns, the shift in perception around the club has been evident. They are no longer viewed as relegation battlers but as an established Premier League side with upward ambitions.

However, Silva knows stability alone is not enough.

Fulham’s recent run of four defeats in five league games has tightened the margins in a congested mid-table. Silva stressed how small swings in form could shape their season.

“With two or three good results, we are in a very good position. With two or three bad results, we are going to be down on the table,” he said. “It just shows the competitiveness of this league.”

A particular frustration has been late goals conceded, with seven of their 13 league defeats this season coming after the 80th minute.

Silva pinpointed focus and game management as decisive factors.

“You have to be very consistent to achieve it. Sometimes it's not about quality. It’s about not having moments that we switch off,” he said.

Silva’s contract situation adds another layer to the narrative. His current deal expires this summer, with a new offer reportedly on the table but unsigned. While there is no suggestion of imminent departure, maintaining momentum on the pitch strengthens Fulham’s long-term project. Consistent results over the next month would not only keep European hopes alive but reinforce the case for continuity at managerial level.

Fulham have transformed under Silva. The question now is whether this squad can take the final step from stability to genuine contention.

Fulham begin a crucial run with a trip to Sunderland on Sunday, followed by five league matches against sides they have already beaten this season. An FA Cup fifth-round clash at home to Southampton adds further opportunity. The next four weeks, leading into the international break, will likely determine whether Fulham can mount a serious push towards the European places or settle into mid-table consolidation.

Can Silva’s intensity deliver the consistency needed for a European breakthrough?