Silva backs friend Mourinho to come back stronger
Everton manager Marco Silva has backed close friend Jose Mourinho to bounce back stronger following his sacking by Manchester United.
Silva's fellow Portuguese left Old Trafford on Tuesday with the club sixth in the Premier League and 11 points off fourth place.
"For me it is really bad news. He is a friend,'' said the Toffees boss.
"Always when you see a manager leave a club it is bad news and when he is a friend and a coach like Jose it is always bad news for but but also for football.
"I am sure Jose will come back even stronger than he was at Manchester United and be ready to win again."
"He is a winner. He won in other countries and he will win again for sure and will come stronger for the next project.''
Everton, together with football's equality and inclusion organisation Kick It Out, are currently investigating a video which has emerged showing fans singing a song about defender Yerry Mina.
The chant - to the tune of Macarena - contains racist stereotypes about the Colombia international and has similarities to one sung by Manchester United fans about their striker Romelu Lukaku which led to the Old Trafford club issuing a warning to supporters not to sing it again.
Everton issued a statement insisting they have a "zero tolerance'' stance towards racism and Silva said it was something which needed to be eradicated.
"To be honest I didn't see it but, of course as a club and myself, not just in football and sport but in life as well it is something we have to put out of our lives,'' said the Toffees boss.
"Football is a party for everyone to enjoy and be part of the sport and we as a club want every type of racism out."
"What I can tell you is our fans love our players, they love Mina as well and they respect all the nationalities. That is what I can say.''
Silva said the incident had not affected the Colombia centre-back.
"I didn't speak with him about the situation. It doesn't change anything in Yerry. He loves to be at the club and work every day,'' he added"