Qatar 2022 World Cup Playoff: Ghana appoints new coach
All was set for Otto Addo to take over the top job on an interim basis before the u-turn
After days of denial, the Ghana Football Association is set to name Chris Hughton as the manager of Ghana.
This follows a meeting on Friday between the GFA and Sports Ministry in which both parties agreed to name Hughton as Milovan Rajevac’s successor.
Early this week, Hughton met President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House, where he was assured of the job.
All was set for Otto Addo to take over the top job on an interim basis after meeting GFA President Kurt Okraku and Tony Baffoe in Germany early this week.
And the coach is set to begin his team-building immediately his appointment is confirmed. Hughton immediate assignment is the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier match against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The former Brighton boss takes over from Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac who was sacked last month following Ghana’s disastrous exit from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations
The Irish-born trainer has been in Ghana over the past few days as he prepares to takeover over the job. After meeting with Addo, who served as Rajevac’s assistant, the GFA delegation held a meeting with Dortmund. The German club agreed to GFA’s proposal for Otto to supervise the Black Stars for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria.
However, Ghanasoccernet.com has learnt of a massive change in the last 24 hours. Hughton, who travelled to Ghana to visit his family, has been approved by the government and GFA to become a substantive coach.
The idea of Otto leading the team temporarily has been dropped.
Hughton will be named as soon as next week.
The new development means the 63-year-old has postponed his return journey to England.
He was supposed to leave tomorrow but will wait until Kurt arrives on Sunday to seal the deal with GFA Executive Council.
Hughton is reported to have met the father of Chelsea Star Callum Hudson-Odoi in his quest to convince the English-born to switch nationality and play for the Black Stars.
Hughton is hoping to convince some Ghanaian players born abroad to join his team when appointed.
Tariq Lamptey has been one of the long-term targets of the Ghana Football Association among other Ghanaian players born in Europe.
Hughton is also noted for getting the best out of average players in his team and many believe he will be able to do so as head coach of the Black Stars.
"Chris Hughton is a coach who knows how to build with average materials and that's Ghana's situation now. Our materials are not good so we need Chris to weld. Otto Addo is just a second coach for Dortmund,", Ghanaian Legislator Mensah Kyei Bonsu said in an interview on why Hughton should be appointed.
