Gilberto Silva has been confirmed as the new technical director at Panathinaikos, the Brazilian’s first full-time appointment since calling time on his playing career.
The Invincible, who announced his retirement in December last year, has signed a three-year contract with the Greek giants, for whom he played 119 times in a three-year spell after leaving Arsenal in 2008.
“Panathinaikos welcomes Gilberto Silva back to the family,” read a statement from Panathinaikos.
A calm and dependable presence on the field of play, the 39-year-old, who returned to Brazil to play for Gremio (2011-2012) and Atletico Mineiro (2012-2013), has cut an intriguing figure over the last few years.
As well as various charity and media engagements he’s also been a vocal supporter of pressure group Bom Senso (Common Sense) FC; set up in 2014 to campaign for better working conditions for players in his homeland.
Gilberto is understood to have taken the technical director role (we assume he gets a seat with his name on the back) as a stepping stone towards developing the skills needed to become a coach. He’s not the first ex-Gunner from Brazil to take such a role; Edu has been the director of football at Corinthians for five years.
I’d take Gilberto back at this club in a heartbeat. Model professional and should’ve been captain. If he could coach and instil his knowledge into our players we’d be better off.
defo should have been captain. gallas was appalling!
He was our invisible wall. Not sure how that helps in his new role but he’s a class act.
He’s always liked a behind the scenes role
Without Gilberto there would have been no Invincibles. He was SO good. It drives me mad when those dratted pundits bang on about us never replacing Petit or Vieira, when Gilberto is just as worthy of a mention.
Well said. A real unsung hero and the type of player arsenal are desperate for.
AW should look at Iceland, for some reason they are amazing when it comes to develope DM:s. Players who does not give a shit about looking goog or building a personal brand, but who will run trhough fire for the team.
Arsenal players love looking goog though
Bit naughty with that headline!
Gilberto is an example of a player especially for invincibles on there day as a team they ran the show and look at edu corinthians are class.
Gilberto not joining us is a serious disappointment.
A truly great player for Arsenal …a quiet leader ,top class player and a wonderful human being with qualities rarely found in the game today ,humility ,and kindness,honesty…they simply do not make them like Gilberto anymore…..one day maybe he could come back to Arsenal in some capacity