Revealed: The former Aberdeen player training with Brazilian legend Thiago Silva

A former Aberdeen player has been working alongside Brazilian legend Thiago Silva in the bid to complete their UEFA A-licence coaching with the SFA.

Capped 113 times by Brazil defender Thiago took the latest step on his coaching journey alongside fellow candidates at the Oriam in Edinburgh.

The FC Porto centre-back had the programme recommended by the club’s President Andre Villas-Boas – who also gained his coaching badges in Scotland.

Silva travelled to Scotland for the course after winning the Portuguese league title with Porto.

The 41-year-old also won trophies with Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and AC Milan.

Amongst his many honours the defender won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 whilst also landing seven French league titles with PSG.

Silva was included in Brazil’s preliminary 55-man World Cup squad.

However hopes of playing in the World Cup, where Brazil face Scotland, were dashed as he missed out on the final squad.

Silva won the Copa America with Brazil in 2019.

Former Dons star on coaching course

Following several online theory sessions, Silva and the other candidates spent 10 days in Edinburgh for practical sessions on the grass.

All candidates recently completed their UEFA B-Licence with the Scottish FA.

However, Silva completed his through the English system while playing for Chelsea.

Also on the UEFA A-Licence course with Silva is former Aberdeen winger Gary Mackay-Steven, who is now at Partick Thistle.

Mackay-Steven, 35, spent two seasons at Pittodrie from 2017 to 19 before transferring to New York City.

He has also played for Celtic, Dundee United, Hearts, Kilmarnock and Ross County.

Further current, or recently retired professionals, on the course include Stephen O’Donnell (Motherwell), Joe Newell (Hibs)  and former Scotland defender Rachel Corsie.

Silva is set to leave Porto this summer and admits he is weighing up his next move.

He said: “I don’t know what comes next.

“I need to finish the course first, then recover with my family and enjoy a little bit of life.

“But at the same time I will think about the next steps.

“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.

“It’s just part of the process and it has been good.

“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.”

Working with legendary managers

Silva has worked with some of the best managers in the game during a trophy laden career.

He hopes there are elements he can take from each manager as he looks to make his own mark in coaching.

He added: “Having 20 experience years of playing football, I’ve had many coaches.

“But I like Thomas Tuchel, Unai Emery (Aston Villa), (Francesco) Farioli who I have now (at Porto), as well as Tite (former Brazil manager).

“So lots of different profiles and I try to take a little bit here and there.

“I won lots of trophies as a player and I was to take this mindset into coaching.

“But I need to start first and work hard to be a champion as a coach as well.”

Silva signed for Porto in the winter in a bid to push himself into Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.

Although he failed to make the final cut he reckons John McGinn will be the danger man for Brazil when the nations clash in Miami on Wednesday, 24 June.

Silva said: “The captain of Aston Villa, (John) McGinn is an amazing player.

“He plays inside the midfield, he plays on the wing sometimes.

“He has many qualities.

“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.”

[Source: Press and Journal]