Former Ghanaian international and current FC Nordsjaelland assistant coach, Michael Essien, recently shared his thoughts on transitioning from player to coach.
"I started working on my coaching badges before I stopped playing, so once I retired, I could dive into coaching. It's very different, but of course, sometimes I miss playing. But once you're done, you're done," Michael Essien said.
The 41-year-old assistant coach also expressed his admiration for modern football's evolving style, saying, "I would have loved to play with today's players, especially with the emphasis on playing from the back and technical skills."
During his prime, Michael Essien was renowned as one of the world's best midfielders, celebrated for both his defensive and tackling prowess and his ability to score spectacular long-range goals.
Over his illustrious career, Michael Essien played for top clubs including Chelsea, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos, and AC Milan, and made 59 appearances for Ghana, scoring nine goals.