Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has disclosed that Ghana made an attempt to secure a high-profile coach before ultimately appointing Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars.
The national team was left without a substantive coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo by the Ghana Football Association in March, after consecutive friendly defeats to Austria and Germany in the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
After weeks of deliberations, the GFA settled on experienced Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz, handing him a short-term four-month contract to lead Ghana into the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Speaking on Asempa FM, Kofi Adams revealed that he and a senior football figure had engaged a “top coach” to take over the team, but the move did not materialise.
According to him, the coach indicated he would only be available after the World Cup, forcing Ghana to opt for a short-term solution.
“Before the appointment of Carlos Queiroz, I engaged a top coach together with a senior colleague from the football fraternity, but he said he would only be available after the 2026 World Cup, so we had to move on and get someone for the short term for the tournament,” he said.
The minister also confirmed that Queiroz has been given an ambitious target of reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Ghana Black Stars, set for their fifth appearance at the global tournament, have been drawn in a tough Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.
The Black Stars begin their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.
After early exits in 2014 and 2022, expectations are high that Queiroz can guide the four-time African champions beyond the group stage.
