He has been the beneficiary of finally putting down roots at the club, allowing his coaching skills – recognized throughout his career – to come into play.
He was highly regarded at Hull City, although his five-month spell from January to May 2017 ended in relegation.
Silva got off to a good start after being appointed manager of Watford, but his head turned when he was approached by Everton in November, following the sacking of Ronald Koeman. The advances were rejected amid resentment but Watford’s form dropped.
Before Everton’s approach, Watford had lost just four of their 11 games but then went on to lose eight of their next 13 games. Silva was fired in January.
Watford pointed the finger of blame at Everton’s direction in a statement at the time, saying: “The catalyst is that approach, which the board believes has seen a significant deterioration in direction and results to a long-term stage. Watford’s future is at stake.”
Everton finally got their hands on the player in the summer of 2018, but they let him go 18 months later before Silva’s managerial journey took him to Craven Cottage.
Silva now looks and sounds like a different person.
And this Chelsea victory was of the highest level of coaching as he revealed how it was organized.
He said: “We knew Neto would push down Chelsea’s right so we wanted to open up those spaces. This was our plan and we did better in the second half with Antonee Robinson and went forward.
“We wanted to steam the area with the way we prepared and then get more bodies in the danger zone in the second half, which we did and got our goals. If people think we deserved to win this match then I would agree with them.”
Fulham fans have come to adore their manager, as evidenced by the outpouring of joy at the final whistle – and the feeling is mutual.
He said: “Football is about connection. The connection between the fans, the players and the staff, it means a lot. The most important thing is for the fans. It’s not about me at all.
“Some speeches before the game were about the fans, it’s been a long time (they haven’t won against their neighbors) we deserved it, we controlled the game more, we didn’t give them a chance.
“In the second half we started to make better decisions. All the good actions of the game give us confidence.”
Silva’s bond with Fulham and the club’s fans seems unbreakable – and he appears to be a manager who has finally found a home.
