Fadlu’s Right-Hand Man Completes UEFA Course
South African coach and Simba SC assistant coach Darian Wilken has completed his UEFA A and Elite Youth License through the Football Association of Wales.
The 30-year-old tactician held a post at Orlando Pirates, where he was part of the technical team that won the MTN8 title with German mentor Josef Zinbauer in 2020, who is now at the helm of Algerian Ligue 1 side JS Kabylie.
Furthermore, Wilken, along with Fadlu Davids and Wayne Sandilands, was also part of the backroom staff that won an invisible Botola Pro League title and the Throne Cup with Raja Casablanca in the 2023/24 campaign in Morocco.
Now, having guided Simba to a runners-up finish in the NBC Tanzanian Premier League and the CAF Confederation Cup as Davids’ second in command, the ambitious trainer took to his social media account to express his joy in completing the UEFA course.
“Proud to have completed my UEFA A & Elite Youth License through the Football Association of Wales. From the very first session to the final assessments, this course demanded a lot, not just tactically and technically, but personally. It pushed me to grow as a coach, a communicator, and as a leader in high performance environments,” said Wilken in a statement.
“I’m deeply grateful for the experience and for the mentors who walked the journey with me. Throughout my coaching journey, I’ve had the privilege of working at some of the top clubs in Africa, each one shaping me in different ways. The intensity, the passion, the expectations, they teach you fast.
“A heartfelt thank you to Simba SC, my current club, for their belief in me and for providing a platform where ideas can be tested, challenged, and refined in a high-pressure setting. It’s an environment that stretches a coach, and that’s exactly what you want when you are aiming to grow.”
He continued: “To Raja Casablanca, thank you for allowing me the time and space to pursue this license while I was at the club. Your understanding and support made it possible to take this important step without compromising my commitment on the field.
“To our Head Coach, Fadlu Davids, and the entire technical team, thank you for creating a culture of collaboration, where voices are heard, and ideas are sharpened through respectful challenge and shared ambition. It’s a privilege to work in a team that values detail, honesty, and vision.
“And of course, to my wife, thank you. Your unwavering support, your patience during long absences, and your belief in me, that’s what made this possible. You’ve been the quite force behind every achievement, and I’m so grateful for you.”
Wilken concluded: “It’s always been my personal goal to achieve my UEFA A License by the age of 30, and today, I can say I’ve done that. But the journey doesn’t stop here. Next up: the UEFA Pro License, because the aim has never been just to arrive, but to keep growing, learning, and raising the level.”
