Former Persib Bandung coach urges club to extend Michael Essien's contract

Former interim coach of Persib Bandung has called on the club to keep Michael Essien for another season despite the club's failure to achieve their goal with the player.

The 34-year-old joined Indonesian top-flight side Persib Bandung on a one-year deal as a marquee player ahead of the start of the 2017 Liga 1 season and was given the option of extending his contract for a further year at the end of the 2017/2018 season depending on his performances.

The former Chelsea ace quickly became a key figure in the side as he was the side's fifth player who recorded the most playing time, churning out 2039 minutes and scored five goals in 23 appearances for the side as they finished 13th on the log.

Despite failing to help the club win the Indonesian league, Umuh Muchtar, who took over from Djajang Nurdjaman in the final lap of the campaign, believes the powerful Ghanaian midfielder is one of the foreign players who still deserve to be part of Persib squad next season.

Essien's representative, Amougou Mathieu claimed that his client is ready to sign the optional one-year deal ahead of next season.

Meanwhile, Persib have appointed Argentine coach Mario Gomez to replace Umuh Muchtar ahead of next season.