Otto Addo Set to Return as Ghana Boss

Ghana is bringing back Otto Addo as head coach of the Black Stars, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced on Friday.

The 48-year-Addo, currently a talent coach at German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, will depart the club at the end of the season. He previously served as Ghana’s interim coach in 2022, leading them to World Cup qualification while juggling his Dortmund duties. However, Addo stepped down after Ghana’s group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Addo admitted in a statement on Borussia Dortmund’s website, “but I’m very grateful and happy that those responsible at Borussia Dortmund are allowing me to take this step.”

“It’s a great privilege to be able to take on the role of head coach of my national team,” Addo continued. “I’ve already gained a lot of experience in my role as [Ghana] interim coach and I’m looking forward to the task that lies ahead of me from the summer.”

A former Ghana international with 15 caps who played at the 2006 World Cup, Addo spent his entire playing career in Germany.

The Black Stars were searching for a new coach after Chris Hughton’s dismissal following their disappointing group stage exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

“There were some brilliant individuals among the coaches who applied for the job,” said GFA president Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku. “Otto was exceptional in the interview process and was rated highly by the search committee, hence the decision.”

Otto Addo will get an early chance to work with the Black Stars in upcoming friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda on March 22nd and 26th, respectively. The GFA confirmed that Borussia Dortmund has agreed to release Addo for these matches.

His first competitive fixtures back in charge will be the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic in June. Currently, Ghana sits fourth in their qualifying group with three points from two matches.

Mimi Mefo Info