Chris Hughton’s disappointing tenure as the coach of Ghana came to an end on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, with the Ghana Football Association announcing his sacking along with the disbandment of his technical team. The decision was expected, given the team’s failure to rejuvenate after the disappointing World Cup 2022 campaign in Qatar, leading to another first-round exit at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Hughton’s record was subpar, with four wins, four draws, and five losses. The win-loss-draw ratio during his coaching tenure stood at 30.77%, 30.77%, and 38.46%, respectively. His team managed only 13 goals, averaging a goal per match, while conceding 16 times. With these results, the decision to part ways with him was widely accepted by Ghanaians.
The statement from the Ghana Football Association hinted at the commencement of the search for a new coach in the coming days to prepare for potential friendly matches in March and the World Cup qualifiers in June. As the position is now vacant, let’s explore potential candidates.
Herve Renard
The French coach has been eyeing the Ghana job for some time now. He was part of Claude Le Roy’s technical team during Ghana’s attempt to host and win the AFCON in 2008, but left with his French boss and went on to become a successful coach in his own right. Renard led Zambia and Ivory Coast to AFCON victories in 2012 and 2015, respectively, and has consistently expressed interest in coaching Ghana. Despite his impressive resume, he has yet to land the job, but his name keeps coming up whenever the position becomes available. Renard is currently managing France’s women’s team, after a successful stint with Saudi Arabia, where he masterminded a comeback win over eventual 2022 World Cup champions Argentina in Qatar. He has been named CAF Coach of the Year three times (in 2012, 2015, and 2018) and is widely regarded as one of the top coaches in African football. With his contract with France running until August 2024, it remains to be seen whether he will finally get the chance to lead the Black Stars.
Tom Saintfiet
The highly experienced Belgian coach on Tuesday quit his position as Gambia coach after leading the team to a group stage exit at the ongoing tournament in Ivory Coast. Despite the team’s poor performance, Saintfiet’s reputation as a talented coach remains intact. Under Saintfiet’s guidance, Gambia’s world ranking improved significantly, moving up 42 places to 126th. This impressive achievement is a testament to Saintfiet’s ability to transform teams and improve their performance. Saintfiet’s success with the Gambia is not an isolated incident. He has also led other national teams to victory in various FIFA confederations. Notably, he led Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Togo to impressive performances, showcasing his versatility and adaptability as a coach. The question remains, however, whether Saintfiet can replicate his success with the Black Stars. Only time will tell if he is allowed to lead the team. However, based on his track record, it is clear that Saintfiet has the skills and expertise necessary to turn the Black Stars into a formidable force in African football.
Karim Zito
The former Ghana international is in the conversation due to his remarkable track record in recent years. He has been instrumental in developing young talent and leading teams to success, making him a strong contender for the Black Stars job. Zito’s success with the Black Satellites and Dreams FC is particularly noteworthy, winning the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2021 and leading Dreams FC to their first-ever title, winning the Ghanaian FA Cup. He has also inspired the club to be an impressive force in this season’s CAF Confederation Cup, with the club on the brink of qualification to the next stage. Despite his impressive achievements, Zito often goes unmentioned in discussions. However, he has shown that he knows how to get the best out of his players, working well with youngsters. If given the chance, Zito could do a great job leading the Black Stars. Currently, he is in charge of the Ghana U-15 team, tasked with helping to develop the next generation of stars, but he may be eager to take on the challenge of leading the senior national team.
Hector Cuper
The experienced Argentine was among the final shortlist for the Black Stars job before Chris Hughton was appointed and could potentially throw his hat back into the ring. Cuper has a great resume, having managed over 700 official games and racking up 318 wins throughout his career. He has had stints with prominent clubs such as Valencia, Real Betis, Parma, and Inter Milan, and has also led Egypt to the AFCON final in 2017, where they lost to Cameroon. Cuper’s experience and knowledge of the game make him an attractive candidate for the Black Stars job. He has a proven track record of success and has demonstrated his ability to lead teams to major tournaments. Additionally, his love for African football and his previous experience managing in the continent could give him an edge in understanding the unique challenges and opportunities that come with coaching the Black Stars. Currently, Cuper manages Syria “on a contract of undisclosed length,” but he may be tempted to leave his current post to pursue the Black Stars job.