Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has praised ex-Ghana coach Otto Addo for his contribution to the national team, insisting the German-Ghanaian tactician did his best despite recent setbacks.
Otto Addo, 50, was relieved of his duties in March 2026 following Ghana’s back-to-back defeats against Austria and Germany in international friendlies as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He has since been replaced by Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, appointed by the Ghana national football team technical leadership.
Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV, Gyan defended Addo’s tenure, arguing that the former coach worked with the squad available to him and should not be judged solely on recent results.
“For me, he did what he had to do. The calibre of players he had, he had to use them,” he said.
He acknowledged growing public frustration after Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, adding that poor results in friendly matches further intensified pressure on the coach.
“People were very disappointed when we didn’t qualify for the AFCON. So that mark was already there, and it got to a time when the friendly games were also part of it; we weren’t getting the results that we should get,” he stated.
Gyan stressed that coaching decisions are often dictated by results rather than overall ability.
“It happens everywhere. You can be the best coach in the world, but when results are not coming the way people want, they can make a decision. It doesn’t mean you are a bad coach,” he said.
Despite Ghana’s AFCON setback, Gyan highlighted Addo’s achievement in guiding the Black Stars to qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
“Although we didn’t qualify for the AFCON, he was able to qualify the team for the World Cup,” Gyan added.
He noted that such decisions ultimately lie with football administrators.
“Everything depends on the big men who are behind it… at the end of the day, they make decisions, and they feel this decision is better for Ghana,” he explained.
Concluding his remarks, Gyan expressed appreciation for Addo’s service to the national team.
“So what Otto Addo did for Ghana is good for himself; he was able to qualify the team for the World Cup. So I would like to thank him for what he has done for Ghana, and I wish him nothing but the best,” he said.
Meanwhile, new coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to begin his tenure with a friendly against Mexico on May 22 as part of Ghana’s World Cup preparations.
