BY DARREN JOHNSTONE – Capital City Press
Livingston midfielder Hugo Faria admits he is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious fellow countrymen as he bids to pave the way for a role in the dugout with the help of the Scottish FA.
Faria is the latest Portuguese to enrol in courses at Largs after Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, Zenit boss Andre Villas-Boas and Valencia’s Nuno Espirito Santo all graduated from the lauded coaching school.
Much-travelled Faria, who moved to the Lions during the summer, is primarily focused on leading Mark Burchill’s side away from the Championship basement but the 32-year-old admits he also has one eye on the future.
Speaking ahead of today’s visit of Hibs, Faria said: “I started doing my B-coaching licence at the beginning of this month. I’m loving it, it was a good experience.
“Some of my fellow countrymen, Jose Mourinho, Andre Villas Boas and even Nuno Espirito Santo went there – it’s quite famous.
“I wanted to do it, Mark told me that I could do it here so it was the right time and the right moment.
“It’s a boost when you know the big coaches have done it. Villas-Boas speaks well of it and I read an article about Nuno Espirito Santo, and he was saying how he met Ian Cathro, who was his assistant coach
“When you see that these star coaches have done it here, and with it being something that I want, why not take the opportunity now?
“I want to help Mark but first I have to finish the course, I want to learn and if I can someway help him I will be free for that.”
Faira, who was a team-mate of Burchill’s at Cypriot outfit Enosis Neon, has been pleasantly surprised by the standard of football in Scotland after arriving from Greek side Apollon Smyrni.
He added: “The football has exceeded my expectations about Scotland, the only thing for me is the weather.
“I’m loving it, the football is a bit different. My skills at football maybe suit this style more rather than a technical one.”
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