Former FIFA Assistant Referee Patrick Papala, who recently completed his Ghana Football Association (GFA) License D coaching course, has urged fellow referees approaching retirement to consider coaching as a viable and rewarding career path.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Univers’ Sports Express show on Saturday, August 16, 2025, Papala, who now teaches Physical Education at Wenchi Methodist Senior High School, emphasised the importance of early preparation for life after refereeing.
“For me, I always say I would not want them to retire before they start learning coaching, especially the older ones who still want to be involved in the game,” Papala said.
“While still active in refereeing, when the opportunity comes for them to go for the coaching course, they should rush for it and build their capacity,” he added.
Papala, who retired from active refereeing about two years ago due to a muscle injury and other circumstances, highlighted coaching as a natural transition for referees who have a deep understanding of football but are ready to move off the pitch.
“I’m a student of the game. I teach Physical Education, so I cannot run away from the sport,” he revealed. “If some of us had the opportunity of building that capacity by then, initially, I would have retired from refereeing. I would have just picked up my license and then I would have started coaching,” he explained.
Papala’s advice comes as the Ghana Football Association continues to develop its referee and coaching programs, aiming to strengthen football development at all levels in the country.
For many referees, transitioning to coaching not only offers career longevity but also allows them to contribute to the sport by mentoring and developing the next generation of players.
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Story by: Simon Owusu Prempeh|univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Pius Asack
