Chelsea old guard Michael Essien takes strides into coaching
FC Nordsjælland revealed African Legend and Former Chelsea star Michael Essien as their player-coach for the upcoming Danish Supa Liga 2020-21 season after being influential across all structures within the club.
Essien is one of the most decorated African footballers. The 37-year-old Ghanaian star won nine major titles across Europe with Chelsea over a period of nine seasons at Stanford Bridge and amassed 58 international caps for the Black Stars of Ghana in 2002 and 2014.
Essien joined Nordsjælland in July after he left Azerbaijan football powerhouse outfit Sabail in a bid to complete his coaching badges after he hinted his ambitions of being a coach after hanging his boots.
FC Nordsjælland prides with several African talents at their disposal especially Ghanaians due to their exchange program with the Accra-Based Right to Dream Academy.
The club admitted that Essien was more than a player at the club hence his talent and knowledge should be appreciated for the betterment of the club.
“We’ve experienced Michael Essien as both curious and hungry for knowledge before and after the training sessions, but at the same time also contributing and giving among the players during training,” head coach Flemming Pedersen said.
“His career and experience speak for itself but when you add his humble and giving personality, this is an exceptional opportunity for us to get a person added to the staff who can help make our environment developing for our players and also add valuable input to the coaching team and be our hand on the training pitch.”
Michael Essein expressed his excitement towards his new challenge on Instagram
I am delighted to have joined @fcnordsjaelland coaching staff as part of my development towards my full coaching licence. I will also be assisting the players on and off the pitch as part of my role.
Essien, who’s been low-key working towards his coaching badges even as he traveled the world playing football (turning up in Greece, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan), will be using this opportunity to keep working on that personal goal, while also helping to implement and participate in the training sessions themselves.