From Addo to Queiroz: Asamoah Gyan breaks silence on Black Stars’ technical shift

Legendary former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has jumped to the defence of former head coach Otto Addo, highlighting the tactician’s significant contributions to the national team despite his recent departure.

The services of the former Borussia Dortmund forward were dispensed with by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) following the Black Stars’ disappointing back-to-back friendly defeats against Austria and Germany in March. The German-trained coach has since been replaced by the experienced Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz, who is tasked with leading the team into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Asamoah Gyan Reflects on Addo’s Tenure

Speaking in a candid interview with Channel One TV, Asamoah Gyan—the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer—offered a balanced perspective on the 50-year-old’s time in the dugout, emphasising that results do not always reflect a coach’s true quality.

“For me, he did what he had to do. The calibre of players he had, he had to use them,” Gyan noted.

The “Baby Jet” acknowledged the immense pressure Addo faced, particularly following the team’s failure to secure a spot in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“People were very disappointed when we didn’t qualify for the AFCON. So that mark was already there, and it got to a time when the friendly games were also part of it; we weren’t getting the results that we should get,” Gyan explained. “It happens everywhere. You can be the best coach in the world, but when results are not coming the way people want, they [the FA] can make a decision. It doesn’t mean you are a bad coach.”

Crucially, Gyan reminded critics of Addo’s ultimate achievement: “Although we didn’t qualify for the AFCON, he was able to qualify the team for the World Cup.”

The Road to the 2026 World Cup

As the Black Stars transition into a new era, Carlos Queiroz is preparing for his first assignment at the helm. Ghana is scheduled to take on Mexico in an international friendly on May 22, which will serve as a vital litmus test for the new technical setup.

The four-time African champions have been handed a formidable draw for their fifth World Cup appearance. Paired in Group L, the Black Stars will face off against Panama, Croatia, and England in what promises to be a grueling group stage in North America.