The Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced on Thursday that Carlos Queiroz, former 'Black Stars' coach, assistant coach for Manchester United, and Real Madrid coach, has left the position of head coach of the Ghana national team by mutual consent.
Queiroz's departure followed Ghana's losses in the last two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Specifically, the team lost 2-0 away against Côte d'Ivoire and lost 4-2 at home to Gambia.
The GFA expressed gratitude to the Portuguese coach for his professionalism and dedication while working with the 'Black Stars,' noting that he contributed to building a stronger future for the national team and supported the development of Ghanaian talent.
Queiroz himself stated that the decision was made after discussions between both parties and was driven by the interests of Ghana, the 'Black Stars,' and Ghanaian football.
In an official statement, he wrote: 'After discussions held in the spirit of mutual respect, the Ghana Football Association and I have reached a mutual agreement to terminate the Service Agreement governing my role as head coach of the Ghana national team, the 'Black Stars'.' He added that 'it was not an easy decision, but both parties agreed that under the current circumstances, ending our professional relationship was the most appropriate step, putting the interests of Ghana, the 'Black Stars,' and Ghanaian football above all else.'
Queiroz, who was appointed before the start of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, noted that it was an honor for him to work in Ghana, and thanked the GFA and its president for the trust. He emphasized that he came to Ghana with the goal of helping build a stronger future for the 'Black Stars' and supporting the development of the country's talents. However, despite the efforts, the necessary conditions were not fully met, and recent performances led to the decision to end this journey. He leaves with respect, gratitude, and pride.
The 73-year-old coach also paid tribute to the 'Black Stars' players and urged the Ghanaian public to continue supporting the team. He addressed the players, saying: 'First and foremost, I pay tribute to the 'Black Stars' players. Thank you to all of them who represented Ghana with courage, dedication, and pride. You fought for your country and carried the hopes of millions. Believe in these players. Protect them. Support them.'
He concluded that 'talent and potential exist. With unity, support, and the right environment, this generation can achieve great things for Ghana.' Queiroz also thanked the Ghanaian people and the 'Black Stars' fans for their passion, support, and warmth, stating that he will always carry Ghana with respect and affection.
The GFA announced that it will announce the future technical strategy of the national team and the next steps in due course. It should be noted that Queiroz took over the team 10 weeks before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 'Black Stars' went through Group L as one of the eight best third-placed teams before losing to Colombia 1-0 in the Round of 32.