Silva brings FC Barcelona coaching methodology, philosophy and a history of success.
Grande Sports Academy and FC Barcelona are excited to announce the appointment of Denis Silva as Barca Academy AZ’s Technical Director. Barca Academy is a partnership between FC Barcelona, one of the most famous soccer teams in the world, with a worldwide reputation for player development and Grande Sports Academy, where every single graduate since its opening has received a college scholarship or has signed a professional soccer contract. Silva will oversee the player development, coaching education, and implementation of the renowned FC Barcelona training methodology at the full-time year-round residency program in Casa Grande, Arizona.
Silva carries a UEFA PRO License and has a history of coaching youth players at the highest level in La Masía, the youth Academy of FC Barçelona in Barcelona, Spain. Silva joined FC Barcelona in 2010 and served in various coaching roles with the Club including the Head Coach of both the U13 and U14 academy teams. While at FCB, Silva led teams to championships in sixteen different elite tournaments and leagues, and during one particularly dominant stretch in 2013-14, he led his U14 squad to a record of 26-2-2 during one 30-game run. Silva joins Barca Academy after serving most recently as the First Assistant Coach for the FCB U18 team at La Masía – FC Barcelona’s world-famous youth academy.
“FCB and Barca Academy worked jointly to select Denis, who is the perfect choice to implement the FCB methodology, philosophy and to foster and enhance the already well-established commitment to excellence that has been the trademark at Grande Sports Academy since 2010”, said Barca Academy GM Tim Alai. “Denis is a great teacher of the game, motivator in the classroom and he will be an effective and devoted mentor to our players and our coaches. He embodies our core values, and our holistic player development with the nation’s finest youth soccer training facility, which prepares our student-athletes for success in life.”
Off the field, Silva’s educational background is equally impressive. He has a Ph.D. in Pedagogy and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rovira i Virgili University. Silva has an extensive background in physical education, psychology, and sports and has authored several published pieces combining this knowledge with the sport of soccer. Silva speaks Spanish, Catalan, and English and brings a host of worldly experience both on the field and in the classroom that makes his hiring so outstanding for Barça Academy.
In an exclusive interview with GoalNation, Silva talked about his new venture, saying, “This is the first time FC Barcelona has opened its home to the world like this. Normally, in my seven years at La Masia, the world comes to see FC Barcelona. It’s amazing and I am excited. All the players here at Barça Academy are a reflection of FC Barcelona.” He added, “The Barça Academy is the best place to be a soccer player in the USA. We will put in the culture of FC Barcelona-style soccer – hour by hour, every day. The players bring work ethic and together it will be great.”
For more insight into the hiring of Silva, please click here to read the official Grande Sports Academy and FC Barcelona press release.
