Former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has explained why he turned down the chance to become the Black Stars' assistant coach.

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Before Otto Addo was reappointed on a three-year deal after Chris Hughton’s dismissal, reports suggested that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) had offered Essien the role.

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However, he rejected the offer, and the GFA instead appointed John Paintsil and Joseph Laumann as Addo’s assistants.

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Essien, who is currently an assistant coach at Danish club FC Nordsjaelland, said he did not feel ready for the job.

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“I would not say I refused, but I was just not ready for that job,” he told Sporty FM.

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“I was approached by Otto Addo and the president [Kurt Okraku], but I felt I was not ready,” he added.

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Although Essien never won a major trophy with Ghana as a player, he is still hopeful that the team will achieve success in the future.

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

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Meanwhile, following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Joseph Laumann has been replaced by Desmond Ofei as one of the assistant coaches.

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