Gov’t committed to back GFA to appoint ‘world-class’ coach ahead of 2026 World Cup after Otto Addo’s sack

This assurance comes after Otto Addo was sacked as the head coach of the Black Stars.

Ghana, as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, faced Austria and Germany in friendly games during the March international window.

After the team suffered a 5-1 drubbing loss against Austria in Vienna and a 2-1 loss against Germany in Stuttgart, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced that the 50-year-old trainer has been relieved of his role as the head coach of the team.

According to GFA boss Kurt Okraku, over 600 coaches have applied for the job, with a new head trainer expected to be named within two weeks. 

Kwesi Appiah, Walid Regragui, Pitso Mosimane, Tom Saintfiet, Hervé Renard and other coaches have applied for the job.

However, reliable sources have confirmed that the state is willing to spend to ensure the country’s football governing body appoints an experienced and top-class coach for the team ahead of the Mundial this summer.

The government, through the Sports Ministry, has communicated to the GFA that they should work to bring in an experienced and top-class coach ahead of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Mr Okraku, in an interview with 3Sports, has hinted that they are looking to appoint a winning coach and one who will inspire confidence.

“We want to move forward, and I think that the ExCo is well placed to bring in the next one [coach]. Hopefully, this next one will be the one that will give everyone the confidence,” he stated.

“[He] will be the person with the good record of having managed at the club level and hopefully at the national team level, would be someone who has won trophies and generally would be someone who will bring confidence to the changing room.

“The players will look up to that person and say this guy has done it before and he knows what he is talking about.”

Meanwhile, the Black Stars will regroup in May and June for their final preparatory games against Mexico and Wales, respectively.

Ghana will face Panama, England and Croatia in Group L when the tournament kicks off on June 11 in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet