Arhinful urges GFA to establish Technical Committee to curb interference in coaching

Arhinful believes the absence of a clearly defined committee to supervise technical affairs has weakened accountability and allowed club administrators to undermine the authority of coaches.

Speaking on Ahenfie FM, the former Black Stars striker questioned why the GFA has a Technical Directorate but, to his knowledge, does not have a functioning Technical Committee to oversee key technical decisions.

“I think we need to have a Technical Committee of the FA. Because as we speak now, we have an Executive Council. There was a time we had an Executive Committee, and within the Executive Committee, they had an Emergency Committee. They have the Technical Committee of the FA, and then they have all other committees for various national teams,” he said.

Although acknowledging the existence of the GFA’s Technical Directorate, Arhinful insisted that a dedicated committee was necessary to provide direction and ensure proper oversight of technical matters.

“This time around, have you heard that the GFA has a Technical Committee? But we have the Technical Directorate. There’s a Technical Directorate. But we don’t have a Technical Committee, not one I know of anyway. But as a Federation, we should have a Technical Committee that will be in charge of all these technical matters,” he added.

Beyond the GFA’s administrative structure, Arhinful expressed concern about what he described as a culture in Ghanaian football where club executives who finance teams often disregard the professional judgement of coaches.

He argued that coaches should be trusted to make decisions on team selection, tactics and other technical matters instead of being pressured to accommodate the preferences of club officials.

“We are in a country where everyone shares their opinions, so if there is a technical person who knows the work and they speak, we don’t take it. Because those who use their money to fund football think they know more than the technical people they have put in charge of the team,” he said.

The former Black Stars forward, who holds a CAF Licence A coaching qualification, also revealed that interference from club executives was a major reason he had not pursued a coaching career despite possessing the necessary credentials.

Arhinful said he was unwilling to take charge of a team without having the authority to make independent decisions, particularly regarding player selection.

“This is why I haven’t coached. I am a certified Licence A coach, but I haven’t bothered to try coaching. Because I won’t coach a team, and the chairman of the team will select players for me to use on matchday,” he explained.

He further questioned the fairness of holding coaches responsible for poor results when they are denied the freedom to manage their teams according to their professional judgement.

According to Arhinful, coaches risk being blamed for disappointing performances even when they are compelled to use players recommended by club executives.

“Even if I use the players he suggests, and the results don’t favour us, the chairman will turn around and blame me for the results. So I would prefer to stay at home,” he said.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet