Sports World

Carlos Queiroz's second spell in charge of the Black Stars is over. The Ghana Football Association confirmed on Thursday, October 1, that it and the Portuguese coach had agreed to end his contract, just two days after the shock 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia.

'Not an easy decision'

In a statement released through the GFA, Queiroz said the two parties had held discussions in a spirit of mutual respect and agreed to terminate the service agreement covering his role as head coach.

He described it as a difficult decision, but said both sides felt that ending the relationship was the right course of action in the present circumstances, with the interests of Ghana, the Black Stars and Ghanaian football placed above everything else. According to Graphic Online and GBC, Queiroz also acknowledged that the team's recent results had played a part.

The 73-year-old thanked the GFA and its president for the trust placed in him, as well as his technical staff and everyone who supported the team during preparations for the 2026 World Cup. He reserved special praise for the players, urging Ghanaians to keep believing in and backing them, and said he was leaving with respect, gratitude and pride.

A turbulent spell

Queiroz first took charge of Ghana around ten weeks before the 2026 World Cup, succeeding Otto Addo. At the tournament, the Black Stars reached the round of 32 before a 1-0 defeat to Colombia ended their campaign, Graphic Online reports.

He was then reappointed for the start of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, only weeks after stepping away following the World Cup. That second spell lasted just 29 days, according to YEN.com.gh, and produced back-to-back defeats: a 2-0 loss to Ivory Coast in Bouaké and the 4-2 collapse against The Gambia in Accra, where Ghana surrendered a two-goal lead.

YEN.com.gh puts his overall record with Ghana at one win from seven matches.

Queiroz arrived with one of the most decorated CVs in international football, having previously coached Real Madrid, South Africa and Iran, and worked as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Manchester United. That experience, however, could not halt a slide that left the Black Stars bottom of Group C without a point.

Pressure from all sides

The exit follows a week of intense scrutiny. Queiroz had faced calls to resign immediately after the Gambia defeat and said at the time that he would leave the decision to the federation. Sports Minister Kofi Iddie Adams was reported to have left the Accra Sports Stadium during the match, and MyJoyOnline reports that Parliament's Sports Committee plans to question both the Ministry and the GFA about the team's struggles.

YEN.com.gh also reports that the GFA has cancelled a planned friendly against Morocco following the defeat to The Gambia.

What happens next

The GFA has not yet said whether it will appoint an interim coach or when a permanent successor will be named. Whoever takes over will inherit a difficult situation. Ghana have lost both of their opening qualifiers, conceding six goals, and sit six points behind group leaders The Gambia.

The next qualifying window, in November, brings two matches against Somalia. With 12 points still available, qualification remains possible, but the new coach will have very little time to stabilise a squad that has now gone eight AFCON qualifiers without a win.

Photo: Franco Zagagagoria / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0