Willian is delighted “one of the best coaches in the Premier League” in Marco Silva will remain at Fulham this season.
Silva was offered a stunning £40million payday to manage Saudi Arabia side Al Ahli on a two-year deal, but rejected the move to stay in west London.
Willian, who excelled on his return to England under Silva last season, was happy his boss was staying put having himself rejected interest from elsewhere to remain with Fulham.
He said: “It is good that he can stay with us. He is a top coach. For me, he is one of the best coaches in the Premier League.”
Silva’s rejection capped a fine few days for Fulham, who are finalising a £5.5m deal for Wolves striker Raul Jimenez and are closing in on further additions having agreed fees for both Southampton's Mohammed Salisu and Ajax's Calvin Bassey.
Fulham have also agreed personal terms to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Willian hopes his former Chelsea team-mate joins him down the road at Craven Cottage.
“If he comes here it would be good for us and I hope he can come,” he said. “I don’t know if he will join. I haven’t spoken to him. I am waiting after seeing it in the newspapers and media! He is a very good player.”
Willian considered leaving Fulham this summer, rejecting two contract offers and even undergoing a medical with Nottingham Forest before performing a U-turn to put pen to paper on a one-year extension.
The Brazilian insists he got his favoured outcome, but insisted he was “never close to joining Nottingham Forest”. He addied: “Of course, they wanted me to go there but it was never close.
“It was a few weeks of having conversations with Fulham but they were always my first option. When we reached the agreement, it was easy to decide, to be here and play for this club. I enjoyed my last season and I hope to enjoy myself again this season.”
Fulham's 3-2 win over Brentford was a positive start to the Premier League Summer Series, a new pre-season tournament, and they next face Aston Villa in Orlando tomorrow.
Unfortunately, Joao Palhinha painful-looking shoulder injury soured the result.
Willian concluded: “It is good to be here and to have this preparation here but it is hot! We played well but we are not too ready to start the season. We need more weeks to be ready, work hard and gain sharpness."
