Michael Essien reiterates his choice to decline a head coaching position at this time.

Despite having earned his coaching certificates, former Ghanaian international Michael Essien has reaffirmed that he has no intentions to become a head coach. After retiring from professional football in 2018, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder has been employed by Nordsjaelland since 2020 as an Individual Talent Coach, where he is instrumental in developing the team’s future football players. The 41-year-old previously stated in an interview that he has chosen not to pursue a career as a head coach at this time because he feels the responsibilities of the position to be too demanding.

Additionally, he stated that he would rather avoid the limelight, although he did not rule out having a change of heart in the future. “I’m not thinking about being a head coach,” Essien told the BBC. Not quite yet. However, I’ll base my play style on the FCN model of what we’re doing here once I get there. I still have a couple of years left. We shall see. I might make it there. The former Black Stars midfielder went on to say that while he was playing, he never gave teaching any thought.

I never imagined that I would dive right into this trip when I started playing,” he said. As my career was nearing to a close, I thought one day, “I’ve played football my entire life, and I believe that’s what I do best.” “Just to maintain my habit, I need start doing something. In order to understand how to be a coach, I also wanted to acquire the concepts and tactics involved. That’s how it all started. In addition, I adore the game. I’ll be in and around the game all the time.