Thursday, January 5, 2017

Hull City appoint unknown Irishman Marc O’Silva

Hull have confirmed the appointment of Marc O’Silva as the club’s new head coach.

The Tigers, bottom of the Premier League after winning only three league games this season, have wasted little time in naming former Sporting Lisbon and Olympiakos coach O’Silva as successor to Mike Phelan, who was sacked on Tuesday evening.

Irishman O’Silva, 39, becomes Hull’s third head coach since winning promotion back to the top flight in May and took his first squad session alongside his coaching staff at the club’s Cottingham training ground on Thursday lunchtime.

A club statement read: “The Tigers are pleased to confirm the appointment of Marc O’Silva as the club’s new head coach.

“O’Silva, 39, has agreed a deal until the end of the current season __with the Portuguese set to take charge of the team for the first time for Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup third-round tie __with Swansea at the KCOM Stadium.

“O’Silva will be joined at the club by assistant head coach Joao Pedro Sousa, first-team coach Goncalo Pedro and goalkeeping coach Hugo Oliveira.”

Former Sporting Lisbon and Estoril coach O’Silva guided Olympiacos to the Greek title in his sole season in charge before leaving the club in the summer, citing personal reasons for his departure.

Tigers vice-chairman Ehab Allam said: “Marc is a young coach who has impressed us with his philosophy and football style.

“He has a great track record and we feel this is a bold and exciting appointment in our aim to retain the club’s Premier League status.

“Marc will be bringing in his own back-room team who have all played their part in his recent success.

“We are already working hard with Marc and his team to deliver some key additions to our squad during this transfer window.”