Silas (Portuguese footballer)

Jorge Manuel Rebelo Fernandes (born 1 September 1976), known as Silas, is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a midfielder, currently manager of Liga Portugal 2 club União de Leiria.

Silas
Personal information
Full name Jorge Manuel Rebelo Fernandes
Date of birth (1976-09-01) 1 September 1976 (age 48)
Place of birth Lisbon, Portugal
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
União Leiria (manager)
Youth career
1986–1987 Domingos Sávio
1987–1989 Sporting CP
1989–1995 Atlético
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1998 Atlético 70 (4)
1998–2001 Ceuta 65 (20)
1999–2000Elche (loan) 35 (1)
2001–2003 União Leiria 64 (13)
2003–2006 Wolverhampton Wanderers 9 (0)
2004–2005Marítimo (loan) 17 (2)
2005–2006Belenenses (loan) 28 (4)
2006–2009 Belenenses 86 (7)
2009–2010 União Leiria 41 (3)
2011–2012 AEL Limassol 43 (2)
2012–2013 AEP 16 (3)
2013–2014 Ethnikos Achna 46 (3)
2014–2015 Atlético 44 (10)
2015 NorthEast United 12 (1)
2016–2017 Cova Piedade 39 (7)
Total 615 (80)
International career
2003 Portugal 3 (0)
Managerial career
2018 Belenenses
2018–2019 B-SAD
2019–2020 Sporting CP
2021 Famalicão
2022 AEL Limassol
2023–2024 Mafra
2024 Marítimo
2024– União Leiria
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 236 matches and 30 goals over nine seasons, representing in the competition União de Leiria, Marítimo and Belenenses. He also played professionally in four other countries, mainly Spain and Cyprus.[1]

Silas began managing in 2018, leading four teams in his country's top flight.

Playing career

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Early years and Leiria

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Silas was born in Lisbon. He spent two years of his childhood in the academy of Sporting CP, where he received his nickname for his resemblance to Brazilian first-team player Paulo Silas. Following his release, he chose Atlético Clube de Portugal due to its proximity to his grandmother's house in Campolide. After three years there as a professional from 1995 he emigrated to Spain, representing lowly AD Ceuta who also loaned him for one season to Elche CF in Segunda División. During his time in the North African exclave, he was struck by a concrete block when walking past a construction site, and required 11 stitches in his head.[2]

Silas first made his name at U.D. Leiria,[3] with whom he achieved a couple of top six Primeira Liga finishes, also making the Taça de Portugal final in 2003. During the 2001–02 campaign he was managed by up-and-coming José Mourinho and, the following year, made his first appearance for the Portugal national team, in a 1–0 friendly win over Macedonia on 3 April 2003;[4][5] he later played against Paraguay and Bolivia.[6][7]

Wolverhampton and Belenenses

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Silas signed for newly promoted Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2003, for an initial fee of £1 million.[8][9] However, he endured a frustrating time in England, failing to settle in the country and establish himself in the squad;[10] during their doomed season he made a mere nine league appearances, totalling 14 overall.[11]

In the summer of 2004, Silas returned to his homeland and joined top division side C.S. Marítimo on a season-long loan. The following campaign, still not featuring in the Wolves manager's plans (now Glenn Hoddle) he was loaned out to another team in the country and tier, this time C.F. Os Belenenses.[12]

At the end of the season, having made 28 appearances with four goals, Silas decided to make his move permanent, joining on a free transfer as his contract at Wolverhampton had expired. He continued to be an undisputed starter from 2006 to 2009,[13][14] after which he was released and returned to Leiria, recently returned to the main division.[15][16]

Later career

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From 2011 to 2014, Silas competed in the Cypriot First Division, representing AEL Limassol, AEP Paphos FC and Ethnikos Achna FC. In July 2014, after a 16-year absence, he returned to Atlético, now in the Segunda Liga. In April of the following year he, alongside teammate Dady, was involved in a match-fixing allegation whereby it was alleged that both had approached S.C. Farense players with a bribe to facilitate Atlético's win,[17] but nothing was ever proven. The season initially ended in relegation, but the team eventually was spared at the expense of S.C. Beira-Mar who dropped down a division due to irregularities.

On 8 July 2015, shortly before his 39th birthday, Silas signed a six-month deal with Indian Super League club NorthEast United FC.[18] He made his debut on 6 October, playing the full 90 minutes in 1–3 loss at Kerala Blasters FC.[19] On 11 November, a minute after coming on as a substitute for his compatriot Simão, he scored his first goal for the Guwahati-based team, the decisive one in a 2–1 victory away to Chennaiyin FC.[20]

Silas returned to his homeland on 12 February 2016, joining C.D. Cova da Piedade.[21] He helped them to the third division title and a first promotion to the professional leagues, scoring the winning penalty in the final shootout against F.C. Vizela on 5 June 2016.[22]

Coaching career

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Silas retired at the end of the season, at the age of 40.[1] His first coaching experience was as manager of the Portuguese footballers' union in 2017.[2]

On 16 January 2018, Silas replaced Domingos Paciência at former club Belenenses.[23] His first game in charge occurred four days later, and he led his team to a 0–0 away draw against Marítimo.[24] In December 2018 he was named "Manager of the Month",[25] and he achieved final positions of 12th and ninth in his first two years, being dismissed from his position at the reorganised B-SAD on 4 September 2019 when the team had not scored in their first four games of the campaign.[26]

Late in the same month, Silas succeeded Leonel Pontes at the helm of Sporting on a contract running until June 2020.[27] On 4 March 2020, he was relieved of his duties and replaced by S.C. Braga's Rúben Amorim, who became Sporting's fourth coach of the season.[28]

Silas completed his UEFA Pro Licence course on 14 November 2020.[29] The following 1 February, he took over from the dismissed João Pedro Sousa at F.C. Famalicão on a one-and-a-half-year deal.[30] He left on 8 March, after his one win in six games left them second from bottom.[31][32]

Silas was appointed head coach of AEL Limassol on 12 May 2022, being fired in September.[33] He returned home on 13 June 2023, on a one-year deal at second-tier C.D. Mafra.[34]

On 5 September 2024, Silas replaced Fábio Pereira at the helm of Marítimo in the same league.[35] He left one month later, following a run-in with the board of directors.[36][37]

Managerial statistics

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As of match played 16 September 2022[38][39]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Belenenses   16 January 2018 14 May 2018 16 4 6 6 17 21 −4 025.00
B-SAD   14 May 2018 4 September 2019 45 12 15 18 51 66 −15 026.67
Sporting CP   27 September 2019 4 March 2020 28 17 1 10 45 32 +13 060.71
Famalicão   1 February 2021 8 March 2021 6 1 2 3 1 7 −6 016.67
AEL Limassol   21 May 2022 17 September 2022 4 0 1 3 2 5 −3 000.00
Total 99 34 25 40 116 131 −15 034.34

Honours

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AEL Limassol

Cova da Piedade

References

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  1. ^ a b Almeida, Isaura (11 June 2017). "Meyong e Silas. A difícil despedida dos relvados sem dizer adeus ao futebol" [Meyong and Silas. The hard farewell to the pitches without saying goodbye to football]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b Castro, Ricardo Jorge (26 September 2019). "Silas, o miúdo dispensado pelo Sporting que chega a treinador" [Silas, the kid released by Sporting who becomes a manager] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  3. ^ "U. Leiria e Ceuta chegam a acordo pela transferência de Silas" [U. Leiria and Ceuta reach agreement on transfer of Silas]. Record (in Portuguese). 8 August 2001. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Scolari looks to youth". UEFA. 6 February 2003. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  5. ^ "Portugal-Macedónia, 1–0: Passar do bom jogo ao futebol económico" [Portugal-Macedonia, 1–0: From playing pretty to playing for keeps]. Record (in Portuguese). 3 April 2003. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  6. ^ "Portugal-Paraguai, 0–0: Selecção com futuro só a do trio mágico" [Portugal-Paraguay, 0–0: Only national team with future is the one of the magic trio]. Record (in Portuguese). 7 June 2003. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  7. ^ "Portugal frente à Bolívia: Cabeças no ar arrasaram" [Portugal against Bolivia: Heads in the air the destroyers]. Record (in Portuguese). 11 June 2003. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  8. ^ "Silas heads to Wolves". BBC Sport. 9 July 2003. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  9. ^ "Jones hails Silas signing". UEFA. 9 July 2003. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  10. ^ Sinnott, John (18 May 2004). "Silas wants Wolves exit". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  11. ^ "Silas abordado para voltar em Janeiro" [Silas approached to return in January]. Record (in Portuguese). 10 December 2003. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  12. ^ Figueiredo, Sheila (1 June 2005). "Silas e Sandro já garantidos" [Silas and Sandro already confirmed]. Record (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  13. ^ Pereira, Carla (10 October 2007). "Zé Pedro e Silas, uma dupla anticrise" [Zé Pedro and Silas, anticrisis duo]. Record (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  14. ^ "SAD não deixa sair Silas" [PLSC does not let Silas go]. Record (in Portuguese). 30 January 2008. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  15. ^ "Silas: "Escolhi projeto mais convincente"" [Silas: "I chose the most enticing project"]. Record (in Portuguese). 29 July 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  16. ^ "Silas vai ser centenário" [Silas to reach centurion]. Record (in Portuguese). 8 March 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  17. ^ Pestana, José (10 April 2015). "Silas e Dady, do Atlético, apresentam queixa-crime contra terceiros" [Silas and Dady, of Atlético, press charges against third party] (in Portuguese). Futebol 365. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  18. ^ "Índia: Silas no Northeast United" [India: Silas in Northeast United]. Record (in Portuguese). 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  19. ^ Muralidharan, Ashwin (6 October 2015). "Indian Super League: Kerala Blasters FC 3–1 NorthEast United FC: Second half surge sees hosts storm to victory". Goal. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  20. ^ "Silas completes comeback for NorthEast United FC at Chennaiyin FC". ESPN FC. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  21. ^ "Silas para atacar a subida no Cova da Piedade" [Silas for the promotion hunt at Cova da Piedade]. Record (in Portuguese). 12 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  22. ^ a b "Cova da Piedade vence nos penáltis e sagra-se campeão" [Cova da Piedade win on penalties and are crowned champions]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 5 June 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  23. ^ "Silas substitui Domingos Paciência no comando" [Silas replaces Domingos Paciência at the helm]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 16 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  24. ^ "Marítimo e Belenenses empatam na estreia de Silas à frente dos 'azuis'" [Marítimo and Belenenses draw in debut of Silas in charge of 'blues']. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 20 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  25. ^ "RTG™: O treinador do mês | Dezembro 2018 | 👔👑" [RTG™: The manager of the month | December 2018 | 👔👑] (in Portuguese). Goal Point. 30 December 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  26. ^ "Silas demitido" [Silas dismissed]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 4 September 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  27. ^ Gomes, Rui Miguel (26 September 2019). "Acordo fechado, Silas é o novo treinador do Sporting" [Done deal, Silas is the new manager of Sporting]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  28. ^ "Sporting. Sai Silas, entra Amorim" [Sporting. Silas out, Amorim in] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 4 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  29. ^ "Silas conclui quarto nível do curso de treinadores da UEFA" [Silas completes UEFA managers course level 4]. Record (in Portuguese). 14 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  30. ^ Morais, Pedro (1 February 2021). "Famalicão oficializa contratação de Silas" [Famalicão make signing of Silas official]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  31. ^ "Silas de saída do F.C.Famalicão" [Silas leaving F.C.Famalicão] (in Portuguese). Cidade Hoje. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  32. ^ "Comunicado" [Announcement] (in Portuguese). F.C. Famalicão. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  33. ^ "ΑΕΛ: Από τη διαθεσιμότητα, σε τερματισμό συνεργασίας με Σίλας" (in Greek). Phile News. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  34. ^ Cabaço, Rui Jorge (13 June 2023). "Silas é o sucessor de Rui Borges no comando técnico do Mafra" [Silas is Rui Borges' successor at the helm of Mafra]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  35. ^ Marques, David (5 September 2024). "Marítimo: Silas sucede a Fábio Pereira no comando técnico" [Marítimo: Silas succeeds Fábio Pereira at the helm] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  36. ^ Palma, Irene (16 October 2024). "Silas deixa o Marítimo após cinco jogos" [Silas leaves Marítimo after five games]. A Bola (in Portuguese). Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  37. ^ Freitas, Marco (17 October 2024). "Marítimo: Silas demitiu-se após desentendimento a envolver dirigente" [Marítimo: Silas resigned following run-in involving director]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  38. ^ Silas at Soccerway
  39. ^ "Silas". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  40. ^ "Chipre: sotaque português na festa do título do AEL" [Cyprus: Portuguese accent in AEL's title party] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
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