VIDEO-Sylvinho, the man who in 11 months led Albania to the European Championship

2023-11-18 09:29:00, Sport CNA

Sylvinho

After the match with Moldova, which ended with the result 1-1, Albania has booked its ticket to Euro 2024, which will be held in Germany next summer.

The national team excelled in all the matches played, winning with deep results against the opposing teams.

The great credit for this extraordinary success belongs to the footballers of the national team, but also to coach Sylvinho, who made the dreams of millions of Albanians come true to see the team in the European Championship.

In 11 months, Sylvinho led Albania to the European Championship.

On 2 January 2023, the Albanian Football Federation announced that it had reached an agreement with Sylvinho to be the new head coach of the Albanian national team, and that Pablo Zabaleta and Doriva would join him as assistant coaches. Seven days later, he was officially appointed as head coach and signed an 18-month contract, with the goal of the contract being qualification for UEFA Euro 2024.

And the day before, 11 months after signing that contract, he managed to make the dream of the Albanians and the national team come true to play in Germany in 2024.

Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sylvinho started his career at Corinthians in 1994. With Timao, Sylvinho won the Brazilian Cup in 1995. He was also a winner with Corinthians in the 1998 championship of Brazil's top league, Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. Sylvinho also won the Campeonato Paulista in 1995, 1997 and 1999 with Corinthians.

In 1999, he became the first Brazilian player to sign for English club Arsenal, signing ahead of North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who had made multiple offers for him.

In 2001, he moved to Celta Vigo and played there for three years, scoring once in the league against Barcelona on 26 January 2003, his next club. He became a popular figure with the club's fans, helping the team qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history during the 2003–04 season.

In 2004, after a transfer fee of 2 million euros, he signed a contract with FC Barcelona, ??where he won three domestic leagues, in 2005, 2006 and 2009, as well as the Champions League in 2006 and 2009.

On 7 July 2011, Sylvinho announced his retirement from football. He was hired as assistant manager of Cruzeiro on 27 September 2011. After spells at Sport Recife and Nautico, he returned to Corinthians on 5 July 2013, as Tite's assistant manager.

On 13 December 2014, he was appointed as Roberto Mancini's assistant coach by Italian club Inter Milan. On 20 July 2016, he joined the Brazil national team as Tite's assistant once again. On 9 April 2019, he was named manager of the Brazil U-23 national team ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, but did not take charge.

On 19 May 2019, Sylvinho was announced as Bruno Génésio's replacement at Olympique Lyonnais. Compatriot Juninho Pernambucano, a club icon, became director of football. On his senior coaching debut on 9 August, he won 3–0 at Monaco, followed a week later with a 6–0 home win over Angers.

On 23 May 2021, Sylvinho's return to Corinthians as their new manager was announced with a contract until the end of next year./ CNA