I gave Akonnor his first job but he is not a close friend – Odartey Lamptey

Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey has opened up on how he passed on his first coaching job to now Black Stars coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor.

Akonnor and Odartey Lamptey were appointed head and assistant coach of the Sekondi-based in 2010 and Odartey has revealed the discourse that preceded their appointment.

Odartey told Asempa FM that he received a call from Charles Osei Assibey who was then Communications Director of the club inform him about their intentions to engage him as the head coach.

Odartey said after considering the offer from Wise he sounded Akonnor about the deal and they both agreed that the former Black Stars captain would assume the role of head coach.

“We used to talk but we weren’t friends. So when the situation came, Charles called me and asked if I was interested because I wanted to start early so I had a meeting with them and it emerged that we’ll need an assistant coach. CK had finished his coaching course so I called him and he agreed we signed for 11 Wise".

“They asked me to be the head coach but I declined and made CK the head. I was bringing him so in order to encourage him, I had to make him happy. That’s how we started and it went well until we were sacked”.

Odartey went on to say despite being CK’s assistant at 11 Wise, he doesn’t have a cordial relationship.

He could not recollect the last time he spoke with the Black Stars coach but clarified that he has no issue with him.

“I can’t say that he is my friend. There are so many types of friends. I can’t say that he is my enemy but can’t also say that he’s my friend. We coached Wise about 9 years ago so I have moved on”, he said.