Sarpong backs Marcel Desailly for Ghana job

Former Asante Kotoko and Aduana Stars coach J.E Sarpong wants former France international Marcel Desailly to be named as Ghana’s next coach.

The Black Stars will be without a head coach at the end of February following the expiration of Avram Grant’s contract.

Frenchman Willy Sagnol was rumoured to be in talks with Ghana FA to replace the Israeli, but the body has denied contacting the former Bayern Munich star.

Sarpong is convinced Desailly is the right man for the job.

The former Chelsea defender was born in Ghana and was shortlisted among five candidates vying to succeed Serbian Milovan Rajevac in 2010, but he eventually pulled out of the race.

''Marcel Desailly is the right man for the vacant coaching job and I see him as the person who can end our 35-year run without a major trophy when he is appointed,'' Sarpong told UTV.

''Foreign coaches can't win trophies for us and so I don't see the rationale behind their continuous appointments. Desailly is not a foreign coach to me because he was born here and only represented France. He has what it takes to lead the Black Stars as he remains the only option that can bring success to us when given the top coaching job.

''Moreover, if he is appointed, Ibrahim Tanko can be part of his backroom staff to help in decision making. Tanko has enough experience after being the assistant of Cameroon under Claude Le Roy in the past. I have no doubt that they can do the job,'' he added.

Desailly boasts of 116 appearances with France, including three goals under his belt. He won the Fifa World Cup in 1998 and Euro 2000, as well as lifting the 1992-93 Uefa Champions League title while at Olympique Marseille alongside Ghana legend Abedi 'Pele' Ayew and later with Italian giants AC Milan in 1993-94 season.