It felt like I would be sacked as Black Stars coach after the first month – Otto Addo

Former Ghana head coach Otto Addo has revealed deep-seated institutional friction during his second stint with the Black Stars, stating he felt vulnerable to dismissal just one month into his turbulent two-year tenure.

He was fired after four consecutive defeats in international friendlies leading up to the 2026 World Cup, with the icing on the cake being a 2-1 loss to Germany.

Speaking to German football outlet 11Freunde, the veteran tactician admitted to severe communication breakdowns and administrative strain with top Ghana Football Association (GFA) leadership. 

“Honestly, I still haven’t been given a reason [for my sacking] to this day — and honestly, I didn’t ask either,” Addo confessed regarding his eventual departure from the national team setup. 

“There was, of course, a lot of back-and-forth between me, our federation president, and the board as well. It just felt like I could have been sacked after just one month.”

These comments shed new light on the fragile environment that defined his management. 

Public and internal relations deteriorated heavily after Ghana historically failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, missing out on the regional showpiece for the first time in 21 years.

While Addo successfully guided the squad to 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, the GFA terminated his contract on March 31, 2026, following consecutive friendly defeats to Austria and Germany. 

This dramatic dismissal occurred just 72 days before the tournament’s opening kickoff. Addo joined FIFA’s elite Technical Study Group for the World Cup, while veteran Portuguese manager Carlos Queiroz replaced him.