Former Ghanaian international and current FC Nordsjaelland assistant coach, Michael Essien, has shared his thoughts on transitioning from a playing career to a coaching role.
Essien, who is 41 years old, started working on his coaching badges before he retired as a player, allowing him to seamlessly transition into coaching after hanging up his boots.
In an interview, Essien admitted that it’s been an adjustment to leave behind the playing field, but he’s embracing his new role as an assistant coach. “I started working on my coaching badges before I stopped playing, so once I retired, I could dive into coaching. It’s very different, but of course, sometimes I miss playing. But once you’re done, you’re done,” he said.
The legendary midfielder also expressed his admiration for the modern game’s evolving style, saying, “I would have loved to play with today’s players, especially with the emphasis on playing from the back and technical skills.” Essien was known for his defensive prowess and ability to score spectacular long-range goals during his prime.
Throughout his illustrious career, Essien played for top clubs including Chelsea, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos, and AC Milan, and made 59 appearances for Ghana, scoring nine goals. As he looks back on his playing days, Essien is content with his decision to transition into coaching, where he can continue to be involved in the beautiful game.
