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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

“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.”

Meanwhile, following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Joseph Laumann has been replaced by Desmond Ofei as one of the assistant coaches.