Portuguese duo Carlos Queiroz and Paulo Bento in frame for Black Stars job

• Posted on April 8, 2026April 8, 2026
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Portuguese tacticians Carlos Queiroz and Paulo Bento have emerged as the leading contenders to take charge of Ghana’s senior national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Their emergence follows the dismissal of Otto Addo in late March 2026 after a string of disappointing friendly results. In response, the Ghana Football Association has moved swiftly to secure a short-term replacement for the global tournament.

The development comes after the GFA Executive Council convened on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to deliberate on potential candidates. A final decision is expected soon, pending further consultations with government stakeholders.

With less than three months until the World Cup kicks off, the GFA faces mounting pressure to provide firm technical leadership for the Ghana national football team following a period of inconsistent performances.

Reports indicate that Queiroz and Bento have been officially shortlisted for the role. Queiroz recently stepped down as head coach of Oman in March 2026 and is widely respected for his tactical discipline and extensive international experience, having previously managed teams such as Portugal, Iran, and Egypt.

Bento, on the other hand, is currently in charge of the United Arab Emirates and previously managed South Korea. He is known for his structured, possession-based approach to the game.

The successful candidate is expected to lead the team on a short-term basis, specifically for the duration of the World Cup campaign in June.

Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, setting up a challenging path in the tournament.

Other high-profile names previously linked to the position include Hervé Renard, Joachim Löw, and Walid Regragui. Meanwhile, local coach James Kwasi Appiah is reportedly considered a fallback option due to his current contract with Sudan and a strained relationship with the GFA hierarchy.

Any appointment is expected to be finalized in consultation with government authorities, reflecting the collaborative approach often taken in major national team decisions.

The GFA is prioritizing a candidate with a strong track record at both club and international levels, highlighting its intent to bring in an experienced and proven tactician.

The Black Stars are scheduled to regroup in May for a friendly against Mexico, before facing Wales on June 2 as part of their preparations for the tournament.

Managerial history of the two coaches below:

Carlos Queiroz’s managerial career history

1989–1991 – Portugal U20

1991–1993 – Portugal

1993–1996 – Sporting CP

1996 – NY/NJ MetroStars

1996–1997 – Nagoya Grampus Eight

1998–1999 – United Arab Emirates

2000–2002 – South AfricaRemove ads

2002–2003 – Manchester United (assistant)

2003–2004 – Real Madrid

2004–2008 – Manchester United (assistant)

2008–2010 – Portugal

2011–2019 – Iran

2019–2020 – Colombia

2021–2022 – Egypt

2022 – Iran

2023 – Qatar

2025–2026 – OmanRemove ads

Paulo Bento’s Managerial career history

2004–2005 — Sporting CP (youth)

2005–2009 — Sporting CP

2010–2014 — Portugal

2016 — Cruzeiro

2016–2017 — Olympiacos

2017–2018 — Chongqing Lifan

2018–2022 — South Korea

2023–2025 — United Arab Emirates