By Amaechi Agbo
United States of America U-16 and U-19 Coach, Mr Michael Nsien has said that coaching in the North America country as an African-American is not an easy job.
The 42-year-old Nigerian who stated this in an exclusive interview a Whatsapp Group, NSM Reloaded on Saturday said there are few black coaches in the country.
“In regards to the US, I have been coaching youth level, teen and five years at professional level in the United States. It’s Not easy to be an African-American coach in the US but one thing the US has started to realize is that there are lots of benefits in diversity to their programmes.
“There was a point in the United States that there were only three black coaches that were coaching at professional level. There are only two at the moment,” he said.
He noted that the States has realised the need to inspire soccer players adding that he is honoured to be appointed as a coach in the country.
“A lot of players coming through the US are black players and I think they have realized the need to help and inspire them.”
The United States Soccer Federation appointed Michael Nsien as the head coach of the country’s U-19 men’s national team on September 7.
Mr Nsien joined the US Soccer Federation in November as a U-16 coach.
The 42-year-old also served as an assistant to interim US national team head coach B.J. Callaghan during the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The young tactician will lead the US team to the Pan American Games in October in Chile.
‘”Working for U.S. Soccer and helping to grow the game in this country has been an incredible opportunity,” Nsien said.
“I’m excited to move up to the U-19 MYNT to continue helping young players reach their full potential. We have a deep, talented pool of players in this country, and I’m excited to help them put on a strong performance at the upcoming Pan-American Games.”
The former defender represented Nigeria at the U-23 level.
