The former management Committee member of the Black Stars, Ernest Thompson, has joined the group of Ghanaians who believe that local coaches are no lo
The former management Committee member of the Black Stars, Ernest Thompson, has joined the group of Ghanaians who believe that local coaches are no longer suitable for the Black Stars.
The Ghana Football Association is on the market for a new head coach. Many are calling for a Ghanaian to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup, while others prefer a foreigner who has experience and has won multiple titles for the vacant role.
Coaches like German’s Winfred Schafer, who is currently a member of the Black Stars coaching staff, South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane, former AFCON winner Herve Renard and Joaquim Loew, who led Germany to the 2014 World Cup title, have all been mentioned in the media for the position.
Sudan’s Ghanaian head coach, Kwesi Appiah and Desmond Offei are the only Ghanaians whose names are mentioned for the position.
However, Ernest Thompson, who knows a thing or two about how things work for Ghana head coaches, in an interview on JoySports, made it clear that he is not in support of the FA appointing a local coach.
“Looking at where we are now after parting ways with Otto Addo, we need to go for the best,” the former Black Stars management committee member said.
“For the next six months, I would not recommend appointing a Ghanaian coach. From my experience, they have not been able to control their camp effectively. We need a coach in the mould of a Mariano Barreto or Milovan Rajevac.”
Mariano Barreto laid the foundation for Ghana to qualify for the first World Cup in 2006. His leadership was so smooth that there was enough discipline within the squad. Milovan Rajevic had a great time with Ghana after leading the team to the finals of the 2010 AFCON and to the quarter-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
He continued, “I don’t think Kwesi Appiah has the firmness needed to control this team”.
Kwesi Appiah led the Black Stars to the 2014 World Cup. The team collapsed against Portugal after playing so well in the first two games against the USA and Germany due to reasons beyond him. Some are in support of James Kwesi Appiah’s return because of the work he has done with the beleaguered Sudanese national team, but Ernest Thompson is against it.
“At this stage, we are dealing with high stakes. The World Cup is not a playground like the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Look at countries like England and Brazil; they’ve made bold decisions when necessary. See who they appointed. We need a coach with strong authority, character, and a solid technical team behind him,” he added.
Ghana is in Group L with Panama, England and Croatia for the imminent World Cup.
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