Former Black Stars coach, James Kwesi Appiah, says two Premier League coaching greats are the inspiration behind the authoring of his book ‘Leaders Don’t have to Yell.’
In an interview with Joy Sports, he revealed that he felt highly encouraged after reading Sir Alex Ferguson’s My Autobiography and Arsene Wenger’s book titled Arsene Wenger – The Inside story of Arsenal under Arsene.
Ferguson and Wenger
“I understood why they took certain decisions and how they handled certain complex situations,” he told Joy Sports Editor, Nathaniel Attoh in an interview.
The 59-year-old, who also played for Black Stars between 1987 and 1992, said he chose these two coaching icons as mentoring figures because of their experiences gathered which were also crowned with big achievements. “They also made some very big players and managed their expectations and egos.”
“The book gets everyone close to me. I do appreciate the space I have operated in. When the results don’t go well everyone will criticize and think they know you better than everyone else.”
“What people do not know is that every decision I have taken or the way I have conducted myself is informed by something. The fact that I am calm and keep a cool demeanour doesn’t mean I am weak. In fact, quiet people are the toughest,” he said.
Kwesi Appiah recounted many instances where the Black Stars management committee had major disagreements with him concerning the players he had selected. “One of the many examples is our recent game against South Africa where I selected quite a number of new faces and this did not go well with the management team but I stood my ground and Kudus Mohammed of Norsjelland FC scored on his debut,” he added.
According to Kwesi Appiah, he was always bold to take risks, one of which was including the likes of Kudus, who eventually scored on his debut for Ghana to vindicate the decision.
According to former Asante Kotoko defender, the nation will eventually benefit from the players he has produced and given opportunities in the senior national team. “I have great joy anytime I see all these players I gave the opportunity, perform well for the national team and their respective clubs. At the end of the day, the biggest winner is our beloved nation Ghana and that should be the focus of everyone who gets the opportunity to serve in that space.”
“The supreme interest of the nation is most paramount,” he added.
Kwasi Appiah’s contract ended in December 2019 after a second stint as Head Coach of the Black Stars. His first stint was between 2013 and 2014, during which he led the Black Stars to a semi-final place at the Africa Cup of Nations and also ensured qualification to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. By that feat, he set the record as the first Ghanaian coach to qualify the Black Stars to the FIFA World Cup. He parted ways with the Black Stars by mutual consent some weeks after Ghana’s first-round exit from the FIFA World Cup.
He was appointed Head Coach of Sudanese top-flight side Al Khartoum where he worked until he was re-appointed to lead the Black Stars. Before his initial appointment to the Ghana coaching job, he had gained massive experience as an assistant coach under, Claude le Roy, Milovan Rajevac and Goran Stevanovic. Coach Kwesi Appiah also won gold with Ghana’s Under 23 team (Black Meteors) at the 2011 All Africa Games.
The book, ‘Leaders don’t have to yell’ is authored by Kyei Amoako and will be launched over multiple legged events across the country beginning with Kumasi, on January 24, Sunyani on January 28 and Accra on January 31. Dates for launch events in other cities in the country are to be announced later.
Source: Joy Sports| Nathaniel Attoh