Ghana’s Chelsea legend, Michael Essien has finally confirmed he is mulling over a full-time managerial career after hanging up his boots.
The 35-year-old first brushed aside such thoughts in an interview in April this year, saying “I don’t have plans of going into coaching but I may do something relating to football.”
Some two months after, Essien, with other football stars, went through the modules to obtain Uefa B Licence from the Football Association of Wales.
In quotes attributed to him by English media outlet The Independent, the unattached midfielder now says he is open to coaching though still contemplating what to venture into when retirement comes.
“I’m still thinking about it to be honest,” Essien told The Independent. “I’ve been following some of the coaches, trying to get a little bit more experience, because coaching is very different from being a player. I’m trying to see that side of it, and taking in everything. And when I decide to hang up my shoes, hopefully I know what I’m going to do.”
The Mourinho phone call
“If I want to go into coaching, Jose [Mourinho] would be the first person I would pick up the phone and call and get some advice. I played with some top managers, so I can pick up the phone and call any of them and I’m sure they would help me out, they would give me some guidance and take it from there.”
If Essien does opt for life on the touchline, it would make obvious sense for this to be his primary point of contact. Jose Mourinho has been a father figure to the Ghanaian since his arrival at Stamford Bridge 13 years ago. When signing for Real Madrid on loan, another chance to play together, the midfielder repeatedly referred to him as “daddy” during his first press conference. Mourinho has even ventured back to Essien’s home in Accra to meet his real family. There is no doubt of a special bond with the special one.
Frank Lampard ‘surprise’
As he ponders his next move, Essien’s former Chelsea colleagues have also made significant career decisions. Joe Cole and Didier Drogba, who were at the club when he arrived, have both announced their retirement over the last fortnight. And Frank Lampard, who Essien says was the best player he’d ever appeared alongside, made the switch to management this summer.
“It’s a big surprise for me,” he says, letting out a short chuckle again, “because if somebody asked me when I was a playing if Frank Lampard would be a manager I would say no, because he’s very quiet. He would say something if he needs to. But he would come in, train well, plays football, and just goes home. But I know he’s a very intelligent boy. So yeah it’s quite a big surprise for me, but he’s been really good.”
Meanwhile, Michael Essien also maintains he feels having the strength to play for about two more years before calling it quits. According to him, there are offers on the table but is in no rush to make hasty decision. Essien has not played actively for well over a year now since his release by Malaysian club Persib Bandung.
