The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is closing in on a new coach for the Black Stars, with Otto Addo emerging as the leading contender for the role.
According to sources close to 3Sports, Addo is in the lead for the job, although the GFA has yet to make an official announcement.
The vacancy arose after Chris Hughton’s disappointing tenure as coach of Ghana came to an end on January 23, 2024, with the GFA announcing his sacking along with the disbandment of his technical team.
The decision was expected, given the team’s poor performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, where they were eliminated in the first round.
Henry Asante Twum, Communications Director for the GFA, confirmed that the association is still in the process of selecting a new coach.
“Otto is a coach first of all and has coached us before,” he said to 3Sports in an exclusive interview.
“The search team have engaged coaches who did not even apply for the job. I want to believe that they are looking at competence, qualification, and availability.”
“They are looking at people who give us the result we are looking for. If in the minds of the committee, they think Otto is the right candidate for the job, I’m sure they will give reasons for that. At this particular moment, they are not done with the process.”
Other indigenous coaches, including Maxwell Konadu, George Boateng, and Michael Osei, have applied for the job and have undergone interviews.
However, if Addo were to be selected for the role, some might question whether he meets the criteria outlined by the GFA prior to the search.
The association had specified that it was seeking a coach with 15 years of experience and a track record of success.
WITH OTTO ADDO REPORTEDLY IN THE LEAD TO BECOME THE @GHANABLACKSTARS‘ NEW HEAD COACH, THE KURT-LED @GHANAFAOFFICIAL WILL EITHER HAVE TO EAT BACK THEIR WORDS ON WHO MUST FIT THE BILL OR EXPLAIN IN DETAIL WHY THEY’LL SETTLE FOR SOMEONE LESS THAN THEIR BENCHMARKS.
ALSO, FROM HIS…
— JEROME OTCHERE (@JEROMEOTCHERE) FEBRUARY 19, 2024
Otto, who began his coaching career in 2010, doesn’t boast of an impressive resume as expected by the FA, with Ghana being the only top position he has occupied in the past.
He started at Hamburger SV U19 and was assistant coach at Nordsjaelland. The former Ghana international is currently a talent coach at Dortmund.
Asante Twum urged patience, saying, “Let’s just calm down. Let’s allow them to wrap up and when they are done with their work, they will submit their report to the Executive Council with reasons for each candidate they select in the pecking order.”
“Sometimes when you are going through these processes, you have your first choice, second choice, third choice, depending on preference and then also depending on demands and working conditions.”
Whoever takes on the role will have big shoes to fill, as the Black Stars have struggled in recent years, winning only two games in their last 12 major tournament matches.
They are currently ranked 67th in the world by FIFA and 14th in Africa.
