From experienced African tacticians to promising Ghanaian coaches, Footy-Africa looks at five potential candidates to lead the Black Stars following Carlos Queiroz‘s departure.
Ghana are searching for a new Black Stars head coach following the reported departure of Carlos Queiroz on October 1, 2026, after consecutive defeats to Ivory Coast and The Gambia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Minister for Sports and Recreation has directed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to constitute a five-member committee to oversee the selection and appointment of his successor.
With the Black Stars needing stability and a clear direction, here are five coaches that could be suitable candidates for the job.
Dwight Yorke — Trinidad and Tobago
Coaching résumé: Macarthur FC and Trinidad and Tobago.
Dwight Yorke is best known for his illustrious playing career, including Manchester United’s historic 1998–99 treble. He began his managerial career at Macarthur FC, guiding the Australian club to the Australia Cup title in 2022, before taking charge of Trinidad and Tobago in 2024. He failed to qualify the team for the World Cup in 2026 and stepped down after the qualifiers.
Why he fits: Yorke could bring international experience, strong player-management credentials and a fresh perspective to the Black Stars. However, his relatively limited managerial experience at the highest level makes him a riskier option. His current coaching status and availability would also need to be confirmed.
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Maxwell Konadu — Ghana
Coaching résumé: Asante Kotoko, Ghana’s national youth teams, the Black Stars technical team, and several Ghanaian clubs.
Maxwell Konadu offers extensive experience in Ghanaian football. He guided Asante Kotoko to the Ghana Premier League title in 2012, won the WAFU Nations Cup with Ghana in 2013 and 2017, and led Nsoatreman FC to the 2023–24 MTN FA Cup.
His experience as a former Ghana international and national-team assistant gives him an understanding of the expectations surrounding the Black Stars.
Why he fits: Konadu brings local knowledge, familiarity with the national setup and a proven record of winning trophies. He could strengthen the connection between home-based and foreign-based players. The key question is whether his experience translates into success at the highest level of senior international football.
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Desmond Ofei — Ghana
Coaching resume: European youth football, Ghana U-20, Ghana U-23 and the Black Stars technical team.
Desmond Ofei represents a younger generation of Ghanaian coaches with European experience and knowledge of the country’s football development system.
He guided Ghana’s U-20 side to gold in the men’s football competition at the 2023 African Games, held in 2024, and later worked with the Black Stars technical team. He also completed his UEFA Pro Licence in 2025.
Why he fits: Ofei’s familiarity with Ghanaian players and national-team structures could provide continuity and a long-term development pathway. His experience in youth football could help integrate emerging talents into the senior team. However, his limited experience as a senior international head coach remains a significant consideration.
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Pape Thiaw — Senegal
Coaching résumé: Senegal A’ national team and Senegal senior national team.
Pape Thiaw established his reputation by leading Senegal to the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) title before taking charge of the senior national team in December 2024. He led Senegal to the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco and qualified the team for the World Cup where they reached the knock out round.
His experience working within Senegal’s national-team structure has given him valuable exposure to African international football and the demands of managing a major national side.
Why he fits: Thiaw could bring tactical flexibility, familiarity with African football, and experience building competitive national teams. His understanding of the continent’s football landscape could help him adapt to Ghana’s challenges. His current contractual situation and availability would need to be confirmed before any approach.
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Walid Regragui — Morocco
Coaching résumé: FUS Rabat, Al-Duhail, Wydad Casablanca and Morocco.
Walid Regragui is arguably the most accomplished candidate on this list. He guided Wydad Casablanca to the Moroccan league title and CAF Champions League in 2022 before leading Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making them the first African nation to reach the last four.
He also led Morocco to the 2025 AFCON final before reportedly leaving his position in March 2026.
Why he fits: Regragui’s tactical discipline, international experience and ability to organise a competitive team make him an attractive option. His experience against elite opposition could help Ghana rebuild and compete for continental honours. However, his financial demands and willingness to take the job would need to be assessed.
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Why Yaya Toure misses out
Yaya Toure would also have been worth considering because of his outstanding playing career and growing coaching experience.
However, his current work with Slovan makes a move difficult to envisage if he is settled and performing well in the role.
Convincing him to leave his current project for a struggling national team could prove challenging. His omission is therefore based more on the practical difficulties of securing his services than on his potential.
Verdict: Ghana must get the appointment right
Regragui offers the strongest record of achievement on the international stage, while Thiaw brings valuable experience in African football. Ofei and Konadu offer local knowledge and continuity, whereas Yorke would represent a more speculative appointment.
Ultimately, Ghana need more than a big name. The next coach must provide tactical clarity, restore confidence, and build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level.
The GFA’s selection committee must prioritise proven ability, availability, and a clear vision for the Black Stars’ future.
