Michael Essien opens up on rejecting Black Stars assistant coach role

Former Ghana midfielder, Michael Essien, has finally broken his silence on why he turned down the opportunity to become the assistant coach of the Black Stars.

In an interview with Sporty FM, Essien revealed that he felt he was not ready for the role, despite being approached by Otto Addo and Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku.

“I would not say I refused, but I was just not ready for that job,” Essien explained. “I was approached by Otto Addo and the president, but I felt I was not ready.”

This decision came as a surprise to many, given Essien’s illustrious playing career with the Black Stars, including appearances in the 2010 and 2015 AFCON finals.

However, Micheal Essien’s decision to reject the offer was not taken lightly, as the GFA subsequently announced John Paintsil and Joseph Laumann as the new assistant coaches for the senior national team.

Laumann’s tenure was short-lived, however, as he was replaced by Desmond Ofei following the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Despite not being part of the current coaching setup, Essien remains optimistic about the team’s future prospects.

“It’s sad I couldn’t win any trophy during my playing days with the Black Stars, but I am convinced the team will win a trophy soon,” he said.