Thiago Silva has stated his intent to ‘coach all the teams where I have played’ – including Chelsea – as the Brazil legend nears retirement.
One of the greatest defenders of his generation, Silva is best known for his eight-year spell at PSG where he won 19 major trophies, as well as winning over 100 caps for his country and lifting the 2019 Copa America.
In 2020, he joined Chelsea on a free transfer but much wasn’t expected of the centre-back given that he was 36-years-old at the time and supposedly at the end of his playing career.
Yet, he ended up becoming a much-loved player at Stamford Bridge, playing a key role in winning the Champions League in his debut season before going into lift the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Silva remained a vital part of the Blues defence but, much to the frustration of fans, his contract was not renewed and he departed west London in 2024, re-joining Brazilian club Fluminese where he remains today.
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Now 41, the defender is still going strong but appears close to hanging up his boots, with his contract up next summer, though he still has dreams of going to the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking about his plans post-retirement, Silva has made it clear he wants to go into coaching and has an ambitious target in mind for his career in the dugout.
‘When I become a coach, I’ve set myself a goal: To coach all the teams where I have played,’ Silva told L’Equipe.
It would be an amazing achievement if Silva could accomplish this, given he has played for six clubs in his long career, namely Brazil teams RS Futebol, Juventude and Fluminese and European giants Porto, AC Milan, PSG and Chelsea.
The player remains closely linked to Stamford Bridge, with his son, Isago Silva, recently signing a scholarship contract with the Blues.
Coaching seems like a very logical next step for the football legend, with former teammates full of praise for his efforts on the training ground and how he supported younger players in he squad.
‘On the pitch, the reading of the game, that’s what he had in abundance,’ Chelsea and England defender told Stadium Astro, when asked what he had learnt from Silva during their time as teammates.
‘Anticipation, because what people don’t know is that’s a skill. To anticipate where the ball’s going to land or where the man’s going to be and it’s not easy but to know that as a defender it makes your life so much easier.
‘In terms of off the field, recovery. Obviously, the age he is now… what he was doing, just recovering, doing the right stuff, eating right, sleeping right, being in the best shape for you to then perform in games.
Asked if Silva was very free with his advice and helpful to the younger players,’ Chalobah replied: ‘Most definitely.
‘He knows the experience he has. He knows the level he’s played at, the things he’s won and how he can give back and it’s through that and it’s through talking to the younger players.’
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