World Cup legend jets into Scotland as he weighs up major career move alongside Hibs skipper and ex-Celtic man

Silva, 41, won the ninth league title of his career when his FC Porto side were crowned champions of Liga Portugal earlier this month, but is set to leave Estadio do Dragao this summer upon the expiry of his contract, and spend time in Scotland this week as he looks to build on his coaching experience as he weighs up his next move.

Capped 113 times by his country, he was named Brazil's 55-man provisional World Cup squad by Carlo Ancelotti, but his hopes of an international recall were dashed when he missed out on the final squad for this summer’s tournament in North America. Following the news, Silva joined the likes of Hibs captain Joe Newell and former Celtic midfielder Scott Allan on the Scottish FA's UEFA A-Licence course at Oriam in Edinburgh.

"I don't know what comes next,” admitted the Brazilian defender. "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.”

The former Chelsea centre-back admits he was recommended to attend the Scottish FA’s course by one of his close personal friends, where he was also joined by Motherwell's Stephen O'Donnell, Partick Thistle's Gary Mackay-Steven and former Scotland Women captain Rachel Corsie also joined Silva on the coaching course in the capital.

"It's been good,” said Silva. “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. 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 has worked with some of the best managers in the game and he hopes there are elements he can take from each of them as he looks to make his own mark in coaching. For me, having 20 experience years of playing football, I've had many coaches, but I like Thomas Tuchel, Unai Emery, (Francesco) Farioli who I have now (at Porto), as well as Tite in the national team.

“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."

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