Key Takeaways:
- Paulo Bento, Fernando Santos and Carlos Queiroz have emerged as the leading candidates for the Ghana national football team head coach role as of this week
- The Ghana Football Association plans to announce its chosen manager by Friday following extensive talks with the frontrunners
- The incoming coach will guide Ghana in Group L against England, Croatia, and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Search Intensifies for Black Stars Leadership
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is rapidly moving towards appointing a new head coach for the Black Stars, with Portuguese managers Paulo Bento, Fernando Santos and Carlos Queiroz identified as the foremost contenders. This urgent managerial hunt follows the exit of Otto Addo, who was dismissed after an unsatisfactory series of results during the March international friendlies.
Short-Term Strategy Ahead of 2026 World Cup
With just over 60 days remaining until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ghana is under pressure to confirm its new leader. The GFA is targeting a short-term managerial solution, enlisting an experienced coach to steer the squad through the global tournament in North America before reassessing for a permanent appointment. This tactic provides the federation with the opportunity to evaluate the manager’s effectiveness on the world stage, informing decisions about the team’s long-term direction.
🚨🇬🇭 Three final shortlist for the next Ghana Black Stars Head Coach:
— Fernando Santos 🇵🇹
— Carlos Queiroz 🇵🇹
— Paulo Bento 🇵🇹Who gets the job? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/VLFaXshQqv
— GNB OFFICIAL (@GHNaijaBallers) April 7, 2026
Profiles of Leading Candidates
According to inside sources, GFA officials have conducted extensive interviews with both Bento and Queiroz, expressing admiration for the wealth of international experience each candidate offers.
Paulo Bento, who previously represented Portugal at international level, managed his homeland’s squad from 2010 to 2014. During his tenure, Portugal reached the semi-finals at Euro 2012 and competed in the 2014 World Cup. More recently, Bento coached South Korea, leading them to the knockout phase of the 2022 World Cup.
Carlos Queiroz is acclaimed as one of the most seasoned coaches in international football. His impressive résumé features head coaching roles with both the Portugal and Iran national teams, as well as a spell as assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Notably, Queiroz has substantial experience in African football, having managed the Egypt national side to the final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and to a World Cup play-off. This African exposure is regarded as a key advantage in the selection process, with GFA officials appreciative of his adaptability to the continent’s unique environment.
| Coach | Major Achievements | Relevant Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Paulo Bento | Euro 2012 semi-finals (Portugal), 2014 World Cup (Portugal), 2022 World Cup knockout stage (South Korea) | Former Portugal international, extensive top-level tournament experience |
| Carlos Queiroz | 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final (Egypt), Multiple World Cup appearances (Iran, Portugal), Manchester United assistant manager | Significant African football background, long-standing international coach |
| Fernando Santos | Euro 2016 winner (Portugal), 2019 UEFA Nations League winner (Portugal) | Major tournament success, but considered for role at a less advanced stage |
Final Stages and Group L Challenge
Fernando Santos, another respected Portuguese coach, has also been linked with the role, having guided Portugal to victory at Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019. While his candidacy is not as advanced as Bento’s or Queiroz’s, his achievements have garnered the GFA’s interest.
With the interview process set to conclude this week, the Ghana Football Association plans to announce its new head coach by Friday. The successful applicant will face the immediate challenge of steering Ghana through a demanding Group L at the World Cup, squaring off against England, Croatia, and Panama. The Black Stars have not advanced beyond the group stage in their previous two World Cup campaigns, raising the stakes for the incoming manager.
