Sylvinho, a former football player with an impressive career at clubs like Arsenal, Barcelona, and Manchester City, has now transitioned into coaching and is leading the Albanian national team. His journey into coaching began unexpectedly when he was approached by the Albanian football federation president while he was at home in Porto. Despite previous short stints in managerial positions at Lyon and Corinthians, Sylvinho took on the challenge of turning around the struggling Albanian team.
Since taking over as the head coach, Sylvinho has dedicated himself fully to the task. He has immersed himself in the Albanian football scene, getting to know the players, staff, and the city of Tirana where the team is based. By spending long hours in the “laboratory” studying player performances and strategizing, Sylvinho has been able to implement a tactical approach that plays to the strengths of his team.
Under Sylvinho’s leadership, Albania has seen significant improvement, culminating in a successful qualification for Euro 2024. The team’s style of play, characterized by spectacular goals and slick counterattacking football, has caught the attention of many. Sylvinho’s emphasis on creating space for players to showcase their technical abilities has paid off, with players like Jasir Asani making significant contributions to the team’s success.
Despite his illustrious playing career, Sylvinho remains humble and focused on the task at hand. He acknowledges the influence of top managers like Guardiola, Wenger, and Tite in shaping his coaching philosophy. Sylvinho’s commitment to continuous learning and improvement is evident in his coaching approach, which includes using video analysis to educate players and meticulous preparation for each match.
As Albania prepares to face tough opponents like Italy and Croatia in the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament, Sylvinho remains optimistic and determined. He views the challenge as an opportunity to create lasting memories and believes that anything is possible within the 90 minutes of a match. With a strong work ethic instilled in him by his father and a deep sense of responsibility towards his team, Sylvinho is focused on guiding Albania to further success on the international stage.
As he navigates the pressures and expectations of coaching a national team, Sylvinho’s passion and dedication shine through. His transition from player to educator has opened up a new chapter in his career, one that is defined by hard work, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.