Hibs star takes 'invaluable' lessons from Champions League winner as Brazil icon takes next step in Edinburgh
A former Chelsea and PSG star has been taking coaching lessons alongside a current Hibs ace.
A current Hibs star and Easter Road favourite have taken the next step of their coaching journey with a Brazilian legend.
FC Porto centre-back Thiago Silva has been at the Oriam this month as he joined candidates on the Scottish FA's UEFA A-Licence course. It was recommended to him by Porto president Andre Villas-Boas, who gained his coaching badges in Scotland, with Hibs captain Joe Newell also on the course. Former Hibees midfielder Scott Allan, Motherwell’s Stephen O’Donnell and ex-Hearts winger Gary Mackay-Steven are some of the other candidates. Those involved have had 10 days of practical sessions on the grass after online theory classes, with candidates having recently completed their UEFA B-Licence, and Silva’s attendance has caught attention.
The defender won the Copa America in 2019 with Brazil and the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2021. He has also won a league title in Italy with AC Milan and won seven Ligue 1 titles with PSG during his storied career, but what comes next is unknown, as he prepares to leave Porto aged 41. Silva has explained what the likes of himself and Hibs skipper Newell have learned from the course.
Why has Thiago Silva been in Edinburgh?
"I don't know what comes next, he said. "I think in this moment, I need to finish the course first, then recover with my family, enjoy a little bit of life, but at the same time, I will think about the next steps, but I need more time to think. Coaching is so different from playing. To teach, you have to explain the session. It's easy to have it in my head, but explaining the information to the players, it's not easy. But I think it's just part of the process.
"It's been good though. I did the B-Licence at Chelsea with Marc Cucurella and Marcus Bettinelli but this is the first time in a big group like this so it's different. Because I'm at Porto, Andre Villas-Boas is the President of Porto. He told me to come here because, for him, it's the best school for the teaching so I'm very happy to be here. It's an amazing group and people have different qualities. All the people understand football and this is important for me."
Silva will watch on over Scotland’s final World Cup group stage match with his beloved Brazil. Steve Clarke’s side will take on the glamour match after clashes with Haiti and Morocco, and when it comes to navy blue stars he has his eyes on, Hibs hero John McGinn is on the radar after the 2016 Scottish Cup winner helped win the Europa League in Aston Villa’s midfield.
What has Hibs star learned from Champions League winner?
"For me, the captain of Aston Villa, (John) McGinn is an amazing player,” added Silva. “He plays inside the midfield, he plays on the wing sometimes. He has many qualities. I think the Brazil staff and Carlo Ancelotti, they will need to pay attention to this player. I think the match will be played at a good level."
Newell has been at Hibs since 2019 and has started turning his attentions to what comes next, turning 34 next season, while Allan is coaching with League Two champions East Kilbride. Learning alongside Silva has been claimed as a major benefit by the Scottish FA’s Coach Education and Development Manager, Dougie Anderson.
"For the other candidates, the chance to learn from a UEFA Champions League winner and an experienced Brazil international is invaluable,” said Anderson. “We're grateful to him for the time he has spent passing on his experiences to all the other coaches on the course. With Scotland internationals like Stephen O'Donnell and Rachel Corsie also on the course, it really is a talented cohort and we have been hugely impressed by the attitude and work ethic of all on the programme this week as they take their next steps in their coaching journeys."
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