Jorge da Silva


Jorge Orosmán da Silva Echeverrito is a Uruguayan former footballer who played as a striker, and the current manager of Emirati club Al-Ittihad Kalba SC.
Nicknamed "Polilla", he played professionally in four countries his own notwithstanding. In 2007, he embarked in a managerial career.
Da Silva played nearly 30 times with Uruguay, representing the nation at the 1986 World Cup and the 1993 Copa América tournaments.

Playing career

Club

Born in Montevideo, da Silva made his debut in 1977 for Centro Atlético Fénix. He then had a short spell with Danubio F.C. before joining Defensor Sporting in 1978.
In late 1982, da Silva moved to Spain, where he started playing for Real Valladolid and won the Pichichi Trophy in 1983–84 with 17 goals in 30 matches. He was only the second club player ever to win the award, and he also help add its first piece of silverware in the same season, the Copa de la Liga; he then represented Atlético Madrid after Hugo Sánchez left for Real Madrid, and netted 21 La Liga goals in two seasons, helping the team to the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España, both in 1985.
In 1987, da Silva returned to South America and signed for Club Atlético River Plate of Argentina. Two years later he went to Colombia to play for América de Cali, winning the Categoría Primera A twice during his four-year spell.
After another year in the country, with Millonarios FC, da Silva returned to his native land and re-joined Defensor Sporting, where he retired at nearly 36.

International

Having made his debut for Uruguay on 20 February 1982, in a 2–2 draw against South Korea for the Nehru Cup, da Silva went on to earn a further 25 caps. He was part of the squad at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, going scoreless in three matches and being booked twice.

Coaching career

Da Silva began working as a manager after retiring, being in charge of Uruguay's youths as well as acting as assistant to the senior team under Víctor Púa. In 2007 he returned to his last club, leading it to the Primera División title in 2008 and reaching the quarter-finals of the following year's Copa Libertadores; after two years, he moved to the Saudi Professional League with Al-Nassr FC.
On 15 December 2010, Argentine Primera División team Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba announced the hiring of da Silva as Omar Asad's replacement. On 27 February 2012 he left fellow league side Club Atlético Banfield to return to his country and join Peñarol, where he went on to conquer two accolades including the 2013 national championship.
On 19 June 2013, da Silva was appointed head coach at Baniyas Club in the UAE Arabian Gulf League. He returned to Peñarol in January 2016 following a second spell with Al-Nassr, leaving the former on 9 October due to poor results.
On 4 September 2017, da Silva was announced as new head coach of América de Cali. He returned to the United Arab Emirates on 12 October 2019, signing with Al-Ittihad Kalba SC for one season.

Honours

Player

Valladolid
Atlético Madrid
América de Cali
Defensor Sporting
Peñarol
Al-Nassr