Laryea Kingston Explains U-17 Departure

Former Black Starlets coach Laryea Kingston has clarified that he did not “escape” from his coaching position at the U-17 level but chose to resign due to an unsuitable working environment.

In an interview on Joy FM’s Game Plan, the former Black Stars midfielder expressed that his decision stemmed from a lack of a healthy atmosphere conducive to effective coaching.

“I don’t think it’s running away. The environment was not healthy for me, which is why I resigned,” he explained.

Kingston’s resignation followed the Black Starlets’ unsuccessful bid to qualify for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. Under his guidance, the team began the 2024 WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship with a resounding 5-1 victory over Ivory Coast. However, a subsequent 2-3 defeat to Nigeria led to his decision to step down.

Reflecting on his experiences, he stated, “This is a typical example of how you should work hard, not just when people are watching you. As soon as I resigned, the emails started coming.”

The 43-year-old coach began his journey into management after retiring from professional football, obtaining a UEFA B coaching license in 2022.

He started as an assistant coach with the Black Starlets under Abdul Karim Zito and gained valuable experience working as a youth coach at the Right to Dream Academy and Nordsjaelland. Kingston later became the assistant coach for Ghana’s U-17s.

Shortly after resigning from the Black Starlets, Kingston secured a five-year contract with RPS Academies in the United States. In this new position, he will collaborate with other managers to develop young talent, marking an exciting new chapter in his coaching career.