Former Ghana and Chelsea star Michael Essien has extended his coaching contract with Danish Superligaen side FC Nordsjaelland until 2023. According to FC Nordsjaelland manager Flemming Pedersen the former Real Madrid enforcer has lived up to expectations on the touchline much to the delight of the technical handlers and he is now certain of continuing his cherished coaching role at the Right to Dream Park. “Michael Essien has chosen to extend with us until the summer of 2023. We have just looked at each other in the first year, but it has been a no-brainer for him, and he told me that he likes to be here,” Pedersen confirmed Essien’s new deal to Sn.dk as quoted by kickgh.com. “We need Michael, and he gets even more focus on the individual focus. Both on the field, but also off. He can give...
Getty Images Former Morocco coach Herve Renard has apologised for leaving out the name of Hakim Ziyech in a select XI of the best African players he has managed. The 51-year-old Frenchman has coached four African sides to date – Angola, Zambia, the Ivory Coast and Morocco. He found success leading the Chipolopolo and the Elephants to Africa Cup of Nations success in 2012 and 2015, respectively. He also led the Atlas Lions to their first World Cup outing in 20 years at the 2018 edition in Russia where they finished last in a group containing Spain, Portugal and Iran. Renard’s XI contained Ghana’s Richard Kingson in goal, Medhi Benatia, Kolo Toure, Jonathan Mensah and Achraf Hakimi in defence. In midfield is Yaya Toure and Michael Essien in a double pivot, while it’s an attacking trio of Sia...
Former Chelsea star, Michael Essien, has disclosed that Jose Mourinho stopped him from playing for London rival club Arsenal FC. Essien who spoke on Instagram live chat with Carol Tshabalala, stated that he almost joined Arsenal but Mourinho got to know of it and pressed him to play for him at Real Madrid instead. “I was with Chelsea in Monaco for the Super Cup and a strange number called me but I didn’t want to answer it but my cousin who was in the room with me that day told me to pick it up. “The number kept calling so I picked and as soon as I said hello and another hello came from the other end and I realised who was on the phone so I told my cousin it’s Jose Mourinho. “We started talking and he said, ‘I heard you’re on your way to Arsenal’. But I told him it’s not true. I had not hea...