Michael Essien has dismissed any thoughts of quitting his current role at FC Nordsjælland, revealing that he is not yet considering becoming a head coach.
However, the former Chelsea star has indicated that he is preparing for a future in management, expressing a desire to develop his own coaching philosophy around the club’s existing model.
“I’m not thinking about being a head coach. Not yet,” Essien said.
“But when I get there, I will develop my style of play around the FCN model of what we’re doing here.
I have a few more years to go. Let’s see. Maybe I will get there.”
Essien’s path into coaching was not something he initially envisioned.
Reflecting on the end of his playing career, the Ghanaian international admitted he had always been surrounded by football but hadn’t considered taking up the role of a coach immediately after his playing days.
“When I was playing, I never thought I would jump into this journey,” he explained.
“But coming to the end of my career, I was thinking one day, ‘I’ve done football my whole life and I think that’s what I do best.
I should start doing something just to keep my routine going.'”
It was this reflection that sparked his interest in coaching. Essien continued, “I also wanted to get the ideas and strategies of how to be a coach, to learn how to be a coach.
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That’s how it all came about. And also because I love the game. I’m always going to be in and around the game.”
Now, as he works with the younger players at FC Nordsjælland, Essien takes a hands-on approach in mentoring them.
He recognizes that the new generation of footballers can sometimes be difficult, offering them advice to help them stay grounded.
“This generation, sometimes they can be quite difficult. Sometimes they think they know the world, but actually they don’t know anything.
To have me around, it’s easy for them to come and ask me a few questions and I give them a few guidelines and some advice.”
Despite his insistence that coaching is not yet on the horizon, Essien is already laying the groundwork for his future in management.
“I’ve just finished one football management course,” he revealed. “It’s given me some ideas on how football clubs are run, the organisation and everything.
I’m just collecting some knowledge about the game because football goes beyond the pitch.”
Essien’s journey from player to potential coach reflects a deep passion for the game, with the 41-year-old eager to pass on his vast experience to the next generation.
For now, his focus remains on his current role at FC Nordsjælland, but the foundations for his coaching career are clearly being built.
