Carlos Queiroz is back as coach of Ghana less than two months after quitting the role following World Cup elimination in the last 32.
Queiroz held fresh talks with the Ghana Football Association and the country's Ministry of Sports and Recreation, after which the Portuguese coach was handed another contract in charge. The GFA said in a statement late Wednesday that it "believes Queiroz's extensive international experience, technical expertise and knowledge of the Black Stars position him strongly to lead the team into this new chapter."
The 73-year-old Queiroz, who has coached Portugal, Colombia, Iran and Egypt at international level and Real Madrid at club level, left as Ghana coach after a 1-0 loss to Colombia at the first knockout stage. He said there was no "complete sporting satisfaction" but felt the team brought "respect and credibility to the Black Stars."
Ghana was on a four-game losing run when Queiroz was appointed in April to replace the fired Otto Addo. The team drew against England in the World Cup group stage and progressed as one of the best third-place finishers despite a loss to Croatia in their final group game.
The return marks a swift reversal for Queiroz, who walked away from the job in December after the Colombia defeat. His initial tenure lasted barely eight months, yet the GFA has moved quickly to bring him back into the fold rather than pursue a new candidate.
Queiroz's international pedigree is well established. He has taken charge of five national teams across three continents, with his most recent posts including Iran, where he guided the team to consecutive World Cup appearances, and Egypt, where he led the Pharaohs to the Africa Cup of Nations final in 2021. At club level, he spent a season at Real Madrid in 2003-04, and he also served as assistant manager to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United earlier in his career.
The decision to reappoint him comes after weeks of deliberation within Ghanaian football circles. The GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation both took part in the negotiations, a sign that the government remains closely involved in the running of the national team.
Ghana's World Cup campaign was mixed. They opened with a draw against England, a result that raised hopes of a deep run. A defeat to Croatia in the final group game left them relying on results elsewhere, but they squeezed through as one of the best third-place finishers. The knockout stage brought Colombia, and a single goal ended their tournament.
Queiroz's post-match comments at the time suggested frustration rather than resignation. He spoke of the team's credibility but stopped short of celebrating the campaign. Within days of the exit, he confirmed he was leaving the role.
Now he is back. The GFA's statement points to continuity and stability, with Queiroz's knowledge of the squad cited as a reason for the reappointment. The Black Stars will need to rebuild ahead of the next qualifying cycle, and the federation has decided that the man who led them through the last one remains the right fit.
The Portugal-born coach will take charge of a squad that showed promise in patches but lacked consistency. The draw with England was the standout result, yet the losses to Croatia and Colombia exposed defensive frailties that Queiroz will be expected to address.
His contract details have not been disclosed. The GFA has not confirmed the length of the deal or the financial terms, though the swiftness of the negotiations suggests both sides were keen to reach an agreement.
Queiroz's return is unusual in international football, where coaches who walk away mid-cycle rarely come back. The GFA's willingness to reappoint him speaks to the limited pool of candidates willing to take on the role, and the federation's belief that continuity outweighs the risk of another reset.
The Black Stars' next competitive fixtures have not been announced. With the World Cup cycle now over, Ghana will turn their attention to qualification for the next major tournament. Queiroz will lead that charge, tasked with improving on a campaign that ended in the round of 32.
According to Yahoo Sports.