Micheal Essien, 42, had an incredible career in football. The ex-Chelsea midfielder played for 8 different clubs, winning the English Premie
Micheal Essien, 42, had an incredible career in football. The ex-Chelsea midfielder played for 8 different clubs, winning the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and French Ligue 1, among so many different titles.
For the national team, he played for Ghana U17, U20 and the senior national team.
Former midfielders are arguably the best coaches because they are the engine of every team, so they learn a lot from that position. As a deep-lying playmaker, an attacking midfielder and a defender, many expected Essien to be an incredible manager when he retires.
Micheal Essien retired in 2020 at Sabail in Azerbaijan and narrated to the BBC how he became a coach by disclosing that Tom Vernon, the owner of Right to Dream Academy, convinced him to enter into coaching.
“When I stopped playing, he (Tom Vernon) just messaged me and said, ‘What are you doing? I said, ‘I think I’m done playing.’ And he said, ‘OK, maybe you should come and look around the place.’ He told me about the whole project. I came and it was a nice environment. So I said, ‘Yeah, I’d love work here,” Micheal Essien said.
The former Lyon and Real Madrid midfielder waxed lyrical about how Right to Dream do the business.
“I love how they develop their boys here, giving very young boys the opportunity to experience professional football. That was one of the reasons I chose to be here. It’s calmer; the environment is very nice and very healthy. Everyone is ready to help whenever you need. This generation can be quite difficult.’ Said the BBC Player of the Year 2006.
Micheal Essien acquired his UEFA Licence A coaching certificate and is currently the assistant manager of the Danish club Nordjaelland.
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