Hull City Appoint Marco Silva
by Jack Kitson / 05 January 2017, 09:49TweetHull City are set to agree a deal to appoint Marco Silva as Mike Phelan’s replacement at the KCOM Stadium, in a contract running through until the end of the season.
In the aftermath of Phelan’s sudden sacking on Tuesday night it was the former Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett who emerged as the early frontrunner in the betting.
However, Silva zoomed into contention on Wednesday morning, before rapidly being slashed down to just 1/12 in the betting. And now today (Thursday), he’s set to be unveiled as Hull’s third boss in the space of just five months.
At Olympiakos Marco Silva won a whopping 79% of his matches at the helm, with his side blasting in 119 goals in just 48 games. #HullCity pic.twitter.com/sr8R6UNjw2
— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) January 5, 2017
Many supporters were left wondering who on earth this mystery manager was, but those more familiar with the Portuguese coach will be aware that Silva actually has a cracking record in the dugout.
Silva began his managerial career with Portuguese side Estoril, with whom he led up to the top-flight, before going on to back-to-back record finishes, 4th and 5th, and thus qualification through to the Europa League.
Silva then ventured off to Sporting, where he spent one season - winning the Portuguese Cup - only to be savagely sacked for not wearing the club’s suit during a cup game. Eh?
A segment off Marco Silva's Wiki page...#hcafc pic.twitter.com/FhWxXu3NLr
— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) January 4, 2017
Silva only had to wait a month until he was back in work - taking over at Greek side Olympiakos.
Again, Silva was only there for a single season, but what a campaign it proved to be with the Portuguese coach leading his troops to the title with a 21st century European record of 17 straight wins.
During his time at Olympiakos Silva won a stunning 79% of his matches, with his side blasting in 119 goals in just 48 games.
While all the above is deserving of praise, there are a couple of things that will worry Hull fans.
- Silva has no Premier League experience (or any experience in England for that matter).
- Silva has never been embroiled in a relegation dogfight.
The Tigers are rock-bottom of the table with just three wins in 20 matches this season. They are winless in nine, while they only have one victory to their name in 18.
On the plus side Hull have an EFL Cup semi-final to look forward to against Jose Mourinho’s Man Utd, with whom they face a whopping three times in Silva’s first six matches at the helm.
Meanwhile, within the space of his opening eight games the 39-year-old must also lock horns with the likes of Antonio Conte, Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger, while his first match in charge is expected to be on Saturday against Paul Clement’s Swansea in the FA Cup third round.
Hull City & Marco Silva Bets
- 20/1 in the Premier League Sack Race (Sky Bet)
- 1/6 Hull to be relegated (Bet365)
- 6/1 to stay up (Sky Bet)
- 16/1 to tin the EFL Cup (Bet Victor).
Marco Silva will face Man Utd (x3), Chelsea, Liverpool & Arsenal in his first 8 games in charge of #HullCity pic.twitter.com/xmL4xaTDb5
— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) January 5, 2017
