The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is nearing a decision on the appointment of a new head coach for the national side, with seasoned Portuguese trainers Paulo Bento and Carlos Queiroz emerging as the frontrunners.
This search for a new manager follows the exit of Otto Addo, who was dismissed after a string of underwhelming results during the March friendly matches.
With only a little over 60 days remaining until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Black Stars are in a rush to establish new leadership before the tournament kicks off in North America.
The GFA is reportedly looking for a short-term appointment—someone to steer the team through the World Cup before evaluating a long-term candidate. This strategy enables the federation to gauge performance on a significant platform before making a fully committed decision.
Sources suggest that the GFA has engaged in extensive conversations with both Bento and Queiroz, with officials particularly impressed by the wealth of experience that each candidate brings to the table.
As a former Portugal international, Bento has a notable record in international football management. He was at the helm of the Portugal national team from 2010 to 2014, leading them to the semi-finals of Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.
Most recently, he guided the South Korea national team to the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup.
Queiroz, on the other hand, is considered one of the most seasoned international coaches in contemporary football.
Having previously managed the Iran national team, he also had a stint with Portugal and worked as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United.
Importantly for Ghana, Queiroz has experience on the African continent as well, having coached the Egypt national team to the final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and a World Cup play-off.
His familiarity with African football is thought to be a significant advantage, with GFA officials reportedly appreciative of his ability to adapt to the continent’s unique challenges.
Another prominent name in the mix is Fernando Santos, the former head coach of Portugal who famously led his nation to triumph at Euro 2016 and in the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
Though his candidacy is still in the early stages, his impressive record at major tournaments has certainly caught the eye.
The GFA is expected to conclude the appointment process within this week, with plans to announce a new head coach by Friday.
The new appointee will take charge of a Ghana team that is placed in Group L, alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. The mission for the new coach will be to navigate the Black Stars through the group stage—a feat they have struggled to achieve in their last two World Cup outings.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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