Mali national team coach Tom Saintfiet has emerged as the top of the Ghana Football Association’s shortlist to become the next head coach of the Black Stars.
His emergence follows an Executive Council meeting held by the GFA on Friday, April 10, 2026, as the federation continues its search for a successor to Otto Addo. The Ghana coach’s second spell in charge ended after a string of disappointing results, including friendly defeats to Austria and Germany.
Adomonline.com understands that Saintfiet is currently the leading candidate as Ghana intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Sources suggest the GFA is weighing a short-term arrangement, potentially a four-month contract, designed to reduce financial exposure should the team underperform at the tournament.
Officials are said to be cautious about committing to a long-term deal at this stage, partly due to possible compensation costs in the event of an early termination.
There is also growing talk that former Saudi Arabia and Morocco coach Hervé Renard could become available after the World Cup, a development that may be shaping the federation’s preference for a temporary appointment before making a longer-term decision.
Saintfiet’s credentials in African football are viewed as a key advantage. The 51-year-old Belgian famously guided The Gambia to a remarkable quarter-final finish at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, their debut appearance at the tournament.
Over the years, he has managed several national teams across the continent, including Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Ethiopia, earning a reputation for organizing disciplined, hard-working sides often built on limited resources.
Other names still in the frame include former Portugal and Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz, alongside ex-Chelsea and Ivory Coast manager Hervé Renard.
A final decision on the next Black Stars coach is expected next week, with Ghana scheduled to regroup in May for a friendly against Mexico, followed by another warm-up match against Wales on June 2.
Ghana, who will be making their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. Their tournament opener is set for June 17 against Panama, before challenging fixtures against England and Croatia follow.
