Former Ghana and Chelsea star, Michael Essien, opened up on his decision to go into coaching following his retirement from active football.

Essien, 41, who holds a UEFA License A coaching certificate, has been working as an Individual Player Coach at Danish club FC Nordsjaelland since 2020.

In an exclusive interview with Joy Sports Editor, Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, at the club's base in Farum, the former Lyon and Real Madrid star said he never intended to enter coaching after his career, but soon made the decision because he did not want to be at home depressed after his career.

"When I was playing, if you asked me if I wanted to go into coaching, I would say no," he began. 

"But as time passed, I started thinking: I’ve been in football all my life; why not take up coaching and acquire my licenses to still stay in football and be around the players?

"I took this decision to go into coaching because I didn’t want to be one of these ex-players who finish their careers, go home, and start thinking about what they want to do, only to get into depression.

Essien started his professional career in 2000 with French outfit, Bastia, before going on to play for seven other clubs, including Lyon and Chelsea, where he made the most impact, winning the UEFA Champions League with the latter in 2012.