Stephen Appiah: I Want To Coach Ghana's National Team

Ex-Ghana captain Stephen Appiah says he wants to coach the Black Stars when he acquires the qualifications and experience. The man credited for the upturn in the recent successes of Ghana at the international level retired from the team last year. Appiah united a previously fractured team to qualify for their first World Cup appearance in 2006. He was also the captain when they reached last year�s tournament in South Africa but threw in the towel after the first global competition in Africa. Appiah is preparing for life after football by taking his coaching courses as he eyes a move to the Gulf. He wants to emulate his friend Pep Guardiola, the Barcelona coach, with whom he played with at Italian side Brescia. Asked if he would love to coach the Black Stars one day, Appiah said: �Why not? If the chance comes yes but I have to take my badges first.� The former Ghana captain is aware that taking the right steps into the coaching field is what will make him successful in the dugout. �We should not talk about Black Stars now. I have to start from somewhere. At times when you are in a hurry you fail. �I am in no rush so I can learn from somewhere but we would see. �Who knew Pep Guardiola was going to become one of the best coaches in the world but first I have to take my badges.� Appiah is confident he can succeed in the coaching profession having worked and observed some of his coaching mentors �I played with Guardiola at Brescia and I love his style. When you see the way he dresses. I love Mourinho, I love Capello, I love coaches with character. �I think I have the character to become a good coach. I am a nice guy but when it comes to job I don�t joke at all. After work we can crack jokes together.�