Ghana defender John Paintsil has disclosed he is currently undergoing a coaching course in South Africa and hopes to become a football manager soon.

The 34-year-old announced his departure from South Africa Premier Soccer League side Maritzburg United last week after being deemed surplus to requirement by new manager Ernst Middendorp who replaced Steve Komphele.

“Yes, it’s true I've enrolled myself into coaching course here in South Africa,” Paintsil told Angel FM.

“I’m still studying and at the same time learning a lot of things for the course and after this season, I will see if I can push myself into the job right away.

“For now, let’s wait and see what the future holds as we depend on God for his mercy of blessings,” he added.

Paintsil has been capped 88 times with Ghana, but is yet to make a return after the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

He was a member of Ghana’s team that played their first Fifa World Cup in 2006 and was also present at the 2010 edition held in South Africa.

Paintsil joined West Ham in 2006 and spent two seasons at the Boleyn Ground before completing a move to Fulham in 2008.

He was groomed at Ghanaian club Berekum Arsenal, playing four seasons in the domestic league between 1999 and 2002 before moving abroad to sign for Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.