Stephen Appiah targets Ghana management role
Veteran midfielder Stephen Appiah has said he would relish the opportunity to coach the Ghanian national team once he winds down his playing career.
Appiah, 29, has represented six Italian clubs in the last 13 years, during which his most memorable spell was spent at Juventus between 2003 and 2005. The Ghanian also played for Turkish side Fenerbahce between 2005 and 2008, where he scored 11 goals in
64 league appearances.
Like his compatriot Michael Essien, Appiah is a cherished midfielder whose defensive qualities are complemented by an eye for goal and attacking creativity.
Appiah retired from international football after making two appearances in the recent World Cup, where Ghana crashed out against Uruguay in the quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shoot-out, but he has now said that he would be interested in coaching
the team in the future.
“I would love to handle the national team one day. I am not saying the Black Stars because in everything you have to start from somewhere. Maybe I have to study to be an assistant coach and later work a lot to get that chance to coach the Stars," the former
Ghana captain told Citi FM.
No international comeback
After enduring prolonged spells on the sidelines with a knee injury, Appiah joined Serie A newcomers AC Cesena on a one-year deal this summer. So far this season, he has made one league appearance for the team.
Despite showing signs of returning from his injury, Appiah said that his decision to retire from the Ghanian national team stands firm.
“I think that I have done much for my country. I played twice in the World Cup and I have played a lot of games so I think that it is time to give a chance to the young ones. Our legends like Abedi Pele, Tony Yeboah, Gargo Mohammed, Osei Kufuor, Augustine
Arhinful, Yaw Preko and the rest, they paved the way for us and we did our best so that’s what I thought of and decided to retire from international football."
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