Leeds United's Premier League relegation rivals make manager contract decision after international break talks
Leeds United will have a keen eye on the big decisions made by their Premier League relegation rivals this season.
One of Leeds United’s key Premier League relegation rivals have made a significant contract decision on a manager whose future remains uncertain.
Fulham have emerged as potential candidates for the bottom three after a disappointing start to the season. The Cottagers are level on 11 points with Leeds and ahead on goal difference alone, having lost five of their last six while winning only against 10-man Wolves in that time.
With one point from six away games, Fulham’s record on the road is joint-worst alongside Wolves and part of the reason Marco Silva’s future was uncertain heading into the November international break. TalkSPORT reported last week that Craven Cottage chiefs were ‘weighing up’ whether to make a surprise decision on their manager.
Another factor creating uncertainty was Silva’s contract situation, with the Portuguese coach currently set to leave Fulham as a free agent when his current deal expires at the end of this season. Craven Cottage chiefs are believed to have made attempts to extend that tenure which have so far proved unsuccessful.
Sky Sports now reports that Silva and Fulham owner Shahid Khan held fresh talks during the current international break and a long-term contract extension has now been tabled. The fresh terms are believed to keep the 48-year-old at Craven Cottage for up to three more years, should he sign.
Turning point or further uncertainty for Leeds United’s relegation rivals?
It remains to be seen if Silva extends his stay at Fulham but it would provide a much-needed boost for the Cottagers during a crucial point of the season. A busy festive schedule will help provide a clearer picture as to whether the London club are genuine relegation candidates, or whether they can rediscover the form that has seen them finish 11th, 13th and 10th over the previous three campaigns.
Conversely, should Silva decide against extending his stay it will only bring further uncertainty to the struggling Cottagers who will also be without key striker Rodrigo Muniz until the New Year. Fulham chiefs will then have a decision to make on his immediate future while it would be hard to see them back him in the January transfer window given an exit would remain on the cards just six months later.
Silva has largely been credited with keeping Fulham in such a stable position over those years but has recently been open and vocal in his criticism of the club’s transfer strategy. He’s lost the likes of Alexander Mitrovic, Tosin and Joao Palhinha in recent years but big-money exits haven’t always been replaced.
Fulham signed just two senior players ahead of the current campaign, with £35million winger Kevin and loan signing Samuel Chukwueze starting just two Premier League games between them. Silva labelled the Cottagers ‘passive’ towards the end of the window, admitting they were ‘very short’ in some positions.
Silva’s side return to action at home to impressive new-boys Sunderland on Saturday before meetings with top-half trio Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Crystal Palace round off a difficult four-game return. The Cottagers are due at Elland Road in January.