Former Ghana international, Michael Essien has said he is “not interested” in becoming the head coach of the Black Stars.
The former Chelsea midfielder who is now an assistant coach with Danish side, FC Nordsjaelland currently holds both the UEFA A and UEFA Elite Youth A licenses.
Despite the coaching qualifications, the 40-year-old feels he’s currently not ready to manage Ghana’s national team.
Essien made this known when he met Nigerian journalist Lolade Adewuyi while travelling to cover the UEFA Champions League game between Napoli and AC Milan played on Tuesday.
“On my way to Naples, had a long layover in Denmark where I met a legend of the game, Michael Essien,” Adewuyi tweeted, accompanied by a photo of himself with Essien.
“He’s now a coach at FC Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga. He recently got his UEFA A and UEFA Elite Youth Coach licenses. Future Black Stars coach? He said not interested.”
On my way to Naples, had a long layover in Denmark where I met a legend of the game, Michael Essien. He’s now a coach at FC Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga. He recently got his UEFA A and UEFA Elite Youth Coach licenses. Future Black Stars coach? He said not interested. pic.twitter.com/2Oigt1LSQw
— Lolade Adewuyi (@Jololade) April 18, 2023
Essien immediately undertook coaching badges when he stepped back from professional football after a brief stint with Azerbaijani side Sabail FK in 2020.
In February, he announced on social media that he had acquired the UEFA A and UEFA Elite Youth A licenses.
Essien was a member of the Black Stars team that featured at the 2006 and 2014 World Cup in Germany and in Brazil respectively.
He also won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and the League Cup with Chelsea.
Essien also featured for AC Milan and other clubs.