The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is actively searching for a new coach to lead the Black Stars, following the end of their collaboration with Irish coach Chris Hughton, immediately after the team’s early elimination in the first round of the CAN 2023.
In their search for the ideal candidate for the post of coach, similar to the approach taken by their Algerian counterparts, Ghanaian officials have formed a selection committee to evaluate the candidates. The future coach will need to have at least fifteen years’ coaching experience, demonstrate excellent disciplinary and tactical qualities, have a deep understanding of the essence of Ghanaian soccer, and share a coaching philosophy that aligns with the aspirations of the national team.
600 candidates for the position of coach
With a multitude of criteria established to refine the selection of the ideal candidate, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) was overwhelmed by an impressive wave of applications. Despite these rigorous measures, the GFA received over 600 proposals from candidates from Europe, South America, North America and Africa, including from the national league, reveals journalist Ibrahim Sannie Daara.
These candidates include such notable names as Germany’s Felix Magath, former Bayern Munich coach, as well as Ghanaians Maxwell Konadu, previously assistant coach of the Black Stars, and Michael Osei, who managed local club Bibiani Gold Stars, according to Ghana Soccer Net. The list also includes a significant number of technicians considered “amateurs”.
The massive influx of applications for the position of Black Stars coach, far from being seen as a mark of prestige, has instead drawn irony and criticism towards the Ghana Football Association (GFA). On his official X account (formerly Twitter), journalist Osasu Obayiuwana expressed his displeasure at what he saw as a lack of seriousness on the part of the GFA.
He strongly criticized the situation, saying: “It’s ridiculous… The position of Black Stars coach is not a job for beginners at Tesco. Is this how the GFA plans to recruit a head coach? Is this how a serious country goes about selecting its head coach?”, underlining scepticism about the selection method adopted by the federation.
The application period for the position of Black Stars coach is now closed, and the selection process is underway, reports Ghana Soccer Net. The official announcement regarding the new coach is expected in the coming days, marking a crucial step in the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) quest to find the ideal candidate capable of leading the national team to further success.
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