L-R: Otto Addo, Kwasi Appiah, Michael Essien and CK Akonnor
Coaching has become a common venture for footballers after retirement, allowing them to manage their finances and still stay in the game.
Coaches like Zidane, Laurent Blanc, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and others played football to the highest level and they also veered into coaching.
This GhanaWeb Sports piece highlights 10 former Ghanaian footballers who have transitioned into coaching
1. James Kwasi Appiah
The left-back played for Prestea Mine Stars, Asante Kotoko, and the national team. Appiah received technical training from English clubs Manchester City and Liverpool.
He led Ghana’s U-23 team to victory in the 2011 All-Africa Games and later became Ghana’s assistant coach before taking over as head coach, leading the country to the 2014 World Cup.
Appiah is currently the head coach of the Sudan national team, having qualified them for the 2025 AFCON.
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2. Otto Addo
Born in Hamburg, Addo represented Ghana in the 2006 World Cup. After retiring, he undertook coaching courses and worked as an assistant coach for Hamburg, Nordsjaelland, and Monchengladbach.
He was also a scout for the Black Stars from 2013 to 2015 and is currently the head coach of the Black Stars.
3. Ibrahim Tanko
A brilliant footballer who featured for the Black Stars in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1998. He played for King Faisal before moving to Borussia Dortmund.
Tanko has managed Ghana’s Black Stars ‘B’ and Black Meteors (U23), served as assistant coach of the Cameroon national team, and coached Medeama SC.
4. Charles Kwablan Akonnor (CK Akonnor)
The midfielder earned 48 caps for the Black Stars and played for Okwawu United, AshantiGold, Wolfsburg, Fortuna Koln, and other European clubs.
Akonnor is a former Black Stars head coach and currently manages Kenyan giants Gor Mahia FC.
5. Maxwell Konadu
Konadu played for local and international clubs, including the Black Stars. He has managed teams in the Ghanaian league, coached the national U-23 team to an All-Africa Games gold medal, and served as assistant coach of the Black Stars.
His coaching résumé includes stints with Asante Kotoko, Eleven Wonders, Legon Cities, and Nsoatreman FC.
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6. Michael Osei
The late former midfielder played for Asante Kotoko, Vorwärts Steyr, Mainz 05, and other clubs in Venezuela, Turkey, and lower-tier sides in Germany.
Osei has coached Asante Kotoko and Liberty Professionals.
7. John Paintsil
The Ghanaian defender played for Fulham, West Ham United, and other European teams.
After retiring, he undertook coaching courses and worked as an assistant coach of Kaizer Chiefs and is currently the assistant coach of the Black Stars.
8. Fatawu Dauda
The goalkeeper played for Okwawu United, AshantiGold SC, Orlando Pirates, Chippa United, Enyimba FC, and Legon Cities FC.
Dauda is currently the goalkeeper’s trainer for the Black Stars.
9. Michael Essien
The legendary midfielder played for clubs like Liberty Professionals, Bastia, Lyon, Chelsea, Real Madrid (loan), AC Milan, Panathinaikos, Persib Bandung, and Sabail.
After completing his coaching course, Essien is now an assistant coach at FC Nordsjaelland.
10. Godwin Attram
A prolific striker who played for Accra Great Olympics, PSV Eindhoven, Silkeborg IF, and others.
Attram was appointed head coach of the U-21 national team by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in 2024 after completing his coaching studies.
SB/JE
Meanwhile, watch videos from Black Stars first training sessions ahead of WC Qualifiers against Chad and Mali
