Sports News of Friday, 10 October 2014

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Kluivert NOT interested in Black Stars

Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert has pulled out of the Black Stars coaching job in a shocking twist which could be viewed as a damming verdict on the Ghana FA,’ GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.

The agent of the 38-year-old has told Dutch media that his client has NOT been interested in the Ghana job but rather focused on building his capacity at club level.

The revelation could be interpreted as a massive indictment on the Ghana FA as it appears proper diligence was not done when the federation announced the five-man short early this week.

Kluivert was scheduled to attend an interview next Friday in Accra but the claims by his agent questions the integrity of the application process and opens the Ghana FA for criticisms.

“Patrick has no interest in this position now. He wants at this stage to focus on a club and not a country job,” his agent Rob Jansen said.

“He would rather wait until a proper offer from a club in Europe comes along.”

The Ghana FA could face integrity crisis as it appears the Barcelona and Ajax star did not apply for the job for which he has been short-listed in an episode which could embarrass the Ghanaian authorities.

The decision leaves the FA with four candidates in contention including ex-Chelsea boss Avram Grant, former Italy midfielder Marco Tardelli, Swiss Michel Pont and Spaniard Juan Ignacio Jimenez to jostle for the top position.

Either German Bernd Schuster or Argentine Ricardo Gareca, who have been named on standby, will be drafted in under the current circumstance.

The Ghana FA has been in search of a world-class coach after Kwesi Appiah was sacked last month.

Maxwell Konadu is in charge of the Black Stars in a caretaker capacity and will oversee the team for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers double header against Guinea.

They will play at the Syli Nationale on 11 October in Casablanca, Morocco before hosting the return leg four days later.