Black Stars Assistant Coach John Painstil has provided insights into the challenges facing the Ghana Premier League due to financial constraints, particularly affecting player retention.

Reflecting on the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season, Painstil highlighted the significant issue of clubs being forced to sell key players during the off-season.

Speaking to Channel ONE TV at the Ghana Football Awards ceremony, the former Berekum Arsenal and Liberty Professionals player emphasized the financial realities in football management, stating, “Running football is a business, so if a young player has the opportunity to move abroad, why not? That’s why you shouldn’t build a team around one or two players.”

Painstil stressed the importance of building a robust squad structure to sustain clubs economically. He explained, “You need to have a squad if you really want to do business, because a young player can attract interest from Europe for a long-term contract. Club owners need to see a return, so I don’t think there’s a problem with that.”

Drawing from his extensive playing career with Fulham, West Ham United, and South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs, where he participated in two FIFA World Cup tournaments with Ghana, Painstil now holds a CAF Licence B and serves as an assistant coach. He recently joined the backroom team under new coach Otto Addo, marking his continued involvement in the development of football both in Ghana and internationally.

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