Famalicão coach highlights Fulham manager’s “fundamental role” in his career and compares Portuguese football with Europe’s top leagues
Famalicão manager Hugo Oliveira has praised Marco Silva for the major influence he had on his coaching career and admitted he believes the two will eventually work together again in the future.
Speaking during the 4th Bola Branca Conference, the former assistant coach reflected on the long professional relationship he shared with the current Fulham boss between January 2017 and November 2024.
The pair worked together at Hull City, Watford, Everton and Fulham before Hugo Oliveira decided to leave the Premier League and begin his own managerial career at Famalicão.
“We will certainly meet again”
With Marco Silva heavily linked to Benfica, Hugo Oliveira was asked whether a reunion could happen soon. The Famalicão coach responded cautiously but confidently.
“I think we will end up meeting again one day. I do not know where, but we will certainly meet again,” he said.
Hugo Oliveira also revealed the decisive role Marco Silva played in transforming him from a goalkeeping coach into a future head coach.
“He pushed me into many training matters, individual player analysis and responsibilities that went beyond goalkeepers. That made me fall in love with the possibility of becoming a head coach.”
The Portuguese manager explained that several people had encouraged him to take the next step in his career before the right opportunity finally arrived.
“Many people told me: ‘You have the characteristics, it is time, let’s do it.’ But nothing truly felt right until Famalicão appeared.”
Benfica connection remains special
Hugo Oliveira also admitted feeling “extremely proud” after being identified by António Simões as the first choice to manage Benfica in the future.
The coach previously worked at Benfica as a goalkeeping coach between 2011 and 2016, a period that helped shape his development in elite football.
Portuguese football “far behind” Europe’s top leagues
During the conference, Hugo Oliveira also offered a strong assessment of Portuguese football compared to Europe’s top five leagues.
According to the Famalicão manager, Portugal remains significantly behind in terms of match organisation and entertainment value, even if the technical and tactical quality is comparable.
“Portuguese football is still very far from the top five leagues in terms of game organisation,” he explained.
“Technically and tactically, we are close, but we need to improve the spectacle.”
“Football should not be about survival”
The coach defended the need for more attractive football and criticised overly defensive approaches focused only on survival.
“I have been asking for a new stadium in Famalicão for some time because the supporters deserve something more suitable and less cold.”
Hugo Oliveira also criticised time-wasting tactics and negative football.
“Our game has to become more attractive. Football should not be purely about survival.”
“But does surviving mean kicking the ball away so nobody plays? Does surviving mean the goalkeeper constantly lying on the ground? We need to create football that generates emotion.”
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