Jordao Costa is coaching a host of talented young players.
Current PAOK forward and former Manchester United prospect Shola Shoretire
Current PAOK forward and former Manchester United prospect Shola Shoretire(Image: C6media_ )
Manchester United won't kick a ball in the FA Cup until 2026, but for Jordao Costa this weekend marks the beginning of his cup journey.
The 22-year-old plays for non-league Barnoldswick Town in the North West Counties Premier League and they take on Trafford on Saturday seeking progress through the Extra Preliminary Round.
Costa spent time on trial at United as a youngster before linking up with Huddersfield Town and Macclesfield Town. But it's away from playing that his career is beginning to take off.
The Rochdale native formed JC Elite Coaching earlier this year and is already working with a clutch of talent. The headline name is former United striker and current PAOK forward Shola Shoretire. The two met as youngsters at United and have been friends since.
Alongside Shoretire, and his younger brother Tunda, Costa is working with some of the talent coming through the lower age-groups at United. The likes of Jaice Dore, Edson DeJonge-Seiros and Mane Soares are among the children who come to Costa for tailored coaching.
"The majority of the time I am coaching kids and mainly in and around Manchester and Rochdale.," Costa tells the MEN.
Footballer Jordao Costa
Footballer Jordao Costa who runs JC Coaching(Image: Benob.visuals)
"Hopefully we can keep growing and get it up and running as a big company but I want to coach kids from Manchester and give them opportunities and help them improve. We work on weaknesses, help them improve.
"We do a programme, some analysis. We record the sessions so they can see what they need to work on, I do all the editing and stuff. It's tough but I really enjoy it."
Costa has always had a passion for coaching and started to take his badges alongside playing. He's now got eyes on turning the coaching academy from a passion into the next phase of his career.
"100 per cent I want to see it as the next bit of my career, it has huge potential," he said. "I used to see coaches do these one to ones and I just thought I could do this!
"I knew Shola and Fábio Tavares (current Burton Albion forward) is my cousin, so I started working with them and from those two players have started reaching out.
"I did a video with Shola and it went all over. Charlie Savage (Reading's ex United prospect and son of Robbie) then came along and it just went quick from there."
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