Marco Silva’s agent has dismissed speculation linking the former Watford boss with a return to Portugal.

The Portuguese head coach was said to be in line to take over from Rui Vitoria at Benfica at the end of the season by national media reports.

Those claims appear to be wide of the mark, though, and Silva’s agent says his client has no plans to return to his home land, where he formerly managed Sporting Lisbon, any time soon.

“There is no truth in this story, he does not plan to work in Portugal,” Carlos Goncalves told Portuguese paper A Bola.

Silva has been out of work since being dismissed by Watford after just 26 games in charge in January and is said to still be thrashing out the details of his pay-off with the club.

That has not stopped him being linked with a host of Premier League clubs, with West Brom and Southampton previously keen on acquiring his services.

Silva’s Watford tenure fell apart after an approach from Everton in late November, which he refused to dismiss, fuelling speculation he wanted to leave Vicarage Road.

The Toffees have since appointed Sam Allardyce, but the former England and Bolton boss has failed to inspire great confidence since taking over.

Allardyce’s struggles as well as Silva’s ongoing availability has led many to suggest the Goodison Park club still retain a soft spot for the 40-year-old.

A summer move to the Merseyside outfit for Silva is, therefore, not out of the question.