The Ghanaian government has announced its intention to take an active role in the search for a new Black Stars coach, following the departure of Carlos Queiroz. A joint technical search committee will be formed, comprising representatives from the Sports and Recreation Ministry and the Ghana Football Association (GFA). This decision was made during a meeting between Sports Minister Kofi Adams, GFA President Kurt Okraku, and members of the GFA Executive Committee.
The joint technical search committee will have three representatives from the Sports and Recreation Ministry, giving the government a formal role in evaluating and recommending candidates for the vacant position. Although the GFA will retain responsibility for the formal administration of the process, this arrangement marks a more direct governmental presence than has previously been the norm. This is not the first time a structured committee has been used to identify a Black Stars coach, with a similar committee used in 2024.
The GFA has indicated that it is seeking a coach whose profile aligns with the technical demands of the Black Stars, while the Ministry has pointed to its financial contributions to the national teams as part of the rationale for its involvement in the decision-making process. The new coach will face immediate pressure to reverse Ghana's fortunes in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series and restore confidence in a squad that has underperformed in recent competitions.
Carlos Queiroz's departure was announced after the GFA and the Portuguese coach mutually agreed to end his second spell in charge. This decision followed a disappointing start to Ghana's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with the Black Stars collecting no points from their opening two Group C matches. Ghana lost 2-0 to Cote d'Ivoire in Bouaké and then conceded four goals at home to The Gambia in a 4-2 loss.
The incoming coach will have to address the issues that led to Queiroz's resignation, including concerns over training arrangements and accommodation decisions. The new committee's work will be closely scrutinised given the circumstances surrounding Queiroz's exit and the urgency of Ghana's situation in Group C. The government and the GFA are expected to work closely to find a suitable replacement.
The Sports Minister and the GFA President held talks with the GFA Executive Committee at the Ministry in Accra on Friday, October 2, which lasted more than two hours and produced a clear framework for how the coaching search will proceed. The government and the GFA are committed to finding a coach who can lead the Black Stars to success.
The search for a new Black Stars coach is expected to be a thorough and transparent process, with the joint technical search committee playing a crucial role in identifying the best candidate for the job. The government and the GFA will work together to ensure that the new coach is appointed in time to prepare the team for its upcoming matches.
Key points
- Government to take active role in selecting new Black Stars coach
- Joint technical search committee to be formed to find Carlos Queiroz's successor
- New coach to face immediate pressure to reverse Ghana's fortunes in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series
