BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The sweeping changes within Ghana’s senior national team setup have intensified, with the Ghana Football Association, GFA, parting ways with technical advisor Winfried Schäfer as part of a broader restructuring of the Black Stars’ backroom staff.
Schäfer, who was appointed in late 2024 to support then-head coach Otto Addo, exits just weeks after Addo’s own dismissal—marking a decisive shift in the technical direction of the team.
Amid the reported sacking of the veteran German tactician is report of the shortlisting of three coaches to replace the ousted coach, Otto Addo. The three coaches are Slaven Bilić, Carlos Queiroz, and Fernando Santos.
Schäfer, initial appointment followed the failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with the FA seeking experienced guidance to stabilize the squad.
However, with Addo no longer in charge, the FA appears to be clearing the decks for a completely new technical regime ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sources indicate that the incoming head coach will be granted significant autonomy to assemble his own backroom staff, a move aimed at ensuring cohesion and clarity in leadership.
Schäfer’s departure is therefore not an isolated decision but part of a wider reset strategy by the FA, which is under pressure to reverse a run of poor performances and restore confidence in the national team.
The Black Stars have struggled for consistency in recent international matches, exposing both tactical and structural deficiencies within the setup.
Attention now turns to the appointment of a new head coach, with several high-profile names linked to the role. Among those reportedly under consideration are Slaven Bilić, Carlos Queiroz, and Fernando Santos—all of whom bring extensive international experience.
The urgency surrounding these decisions is heightened by Ghana’s looming World Cup campaign. Drawn in a challenging group alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, the Black Stars are set to begin their tournament on June 17, leaving limited time for any new technical team to implement its philosophy and prepare the squad.
The ongoing overhaul reflects a recognition within the FA that incremental adjustments may no longer be sufficient.
Instead, a comprehensive reset—spanning coaching, tactics, and team culture—is being pursued to reposition Ghana as a competitive force on the global stage.
