Ex-Ghana international Charles Takyi has began his coaching career with German side Schalke O4. 

The 34 year old, who retired from active football this week due to persistent injuries, joins the U-19 side where he will receive guidance from renowned German coach Norbert Elgert.

Norbert Elgert is credited for the nurturing of talents like Mersuit Ozil, Julian Draxler and Leroy Sane.

Charles Takyi currently holds a license A coaching certificate and will be working with the Schalke youth sides to gain experience.

The U19 of the "Royal Blues"are third in the after 11 games and will face relegation threatened Padderborn on Saturday.


Takyi was born in Accra, but moved with his parents to Berlin when he was five years old. He started playing for Tennis Borussia Berlin and joined the FC Schalke 04 youth-squad when he was 15 years old.

While playing for Germany at youth levels, Takyi expressed his favor to play for his birth country. The Ghana Football Association applied to FIFA for a nationality switch of Takyi in November 2011.

In October 2011, it was reported that Takyi was giving permission to play for Ghana.