Former Ghana Black Stars technical director Winfried Schäfer has dismissed suggestions that he played any role in the dismissal of Otto Addo, insisting the decision was entirely outside his responsibilities.
Addo was relieved of his duties in March following consecutive friendly defeats to Austria and Germany, with Carlos Queiroz later appointed as his replacement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his exit from the Ghana Football Association, the 76-year-old German clarified that he had no influence over the decision to end Addo’s tenure.
“I had absolutely nothing to do with Otto’s dismissal. That wouldn’t have been within my remit as Technical Director,” Schäfer told Transfermarkt.
Appointed in 2025 as Technical Director and adviser, Schäfer was brought in to support Addo and the wider technical setup after Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
He said his role was centred on collaboration and rebuilding stability within the national team structure.
“On the contrary, we worked very closely together. I joined the team in 2025 to support Otto, as well as the sporting management and the president of the federation, with my experience,” he explained.
Under Schäfer’s involvement, Ghana recorded five wins and one draw in six World Cup qualifying matches, securing a place at the tournament in North America.
The German coach said Addo’s dismissal came as a surprise, noting he had expected the former Borussia Dortmund assistant to lead the Black Stars into the World Cup.
Schäfer also revealed that his own spell with the national team ended shortly after the coaching change.
Despite the abrupt exit, he maintained there was no bitterness towards the Ghana Football Association, expressing appreciation for his time with the team.
“It’s a shame when it ends so abruptly because I really enjoyed working with the guys. But sometimes that’s how it is, and you can’t change it now,” he said.
