Former Ghana U-17 coach Laryea Kingston has broken his silence on management interference in player selection for national teams.
In an interview with Joy Sports, Kingston criticized the practice, describing it as “inappropriate.”
He cited instances where officials questioned a coach’s decision to drop certain players.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for a management member to interfere in a coach’s job. For example, if a coach leaves out a player and a management member calls to ask, ‘Who are you to drop this player?’, that is wrong,” he stated.
He further emphasized the issue by sharing a personal experience, “If someone calls me two weeks before a tournament, after I’ve already selected my squad, and asks me to drop two players to include their own choices, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
Kingston’s remarks highlight ongoing concerns about officials exerting undue influence over player selection, which undermines coaches’ authority and independence in decision-making.
EE/MA
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