By Martin Graham
Otto Addo has been relieved of his duties as head coach of Ghana the national football team just 72 days before the next World Cup. The decision was confirmed after a series of difficult games, including a 2-1 defeat Germany the national football team in Stuttgart and a heavy 5-1 defeat against the Austrian national football team in Vienna.
These back-to-back setbacks extended Ghana’s losing streak to four matches, intensifying the pressure on the coaching staff. Despite having attack options like now Antoine Semenyo i Mohammed Jerusalemthe team struggled to get positive results during this period.
The Ghana Football Association announced that it had “parted ways” with Addo, confirming that the decision is effective immediately. The governing body also indicated that more details on the future direction of the team will be shared in due course.
The second spell ends abruptly
Addo, 50, was born in Germany and spent his entire playing career there. During his playing time, he earned 15 international caps for Ghana before moving into coaching.
He began his second term as head coach in March 2024, but his return did not bring the desired progress. One of the major disappointments during this period was Ghana’s failure to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The combination of inconsistent performances and disappointing results eventually led the federation to decide to make a managerial change at a critical time in the team’s preparation.
The challenge of the World Cup awaits you
The next World Cup, which will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States, will take place from June 11 to July 19.
Ghana have been drawn in a group alongside England national football team, Panama national football team and Croatia national football team. Their campaign will begin against Panama on June 18.
They then face England on June 23 before concluding group matches against Croatia on June 27 as the Black Stars prepare for the tournament under new leadership.
