Veteran German coach Winfried Schäfer says his mission as Technical Director of the Ghana Football Association is to restore unity, modernise the game, and revive national pride.
At 75, Winfried Schäfer has nothing left to prove in football. But the former Bundesliga coach and Africa Cup of Nations-winning tactician says he couldn’t turn down the call when Ghana came knocking.
In an exclusive interview with Sächsische Zeitung monitored by AfricaSoccer.com, Schäfer confirmed that his unexpected appointment as Technical Director of the Ghana Football Association was driven by a sense of duty and opportunity, both to a footballing nation in crisis and to the game’s future on the continent.
“The team had missed the Africa Cup—something considered a catastrophe in Ghana,” he said. “There was unrest in the squad, World Cup qualification wasn’t going well, and the president of the federation asked me to come in and bring some structure.”
Since January 2025, Schäfer has been working closely with Ghana coach Otto Addo, a former Bundesliga player and current head of the national team. His aim is clear: foster team cohesion, support long-term development, and position Ghana among the giants of African football once again.
His approach seems to be working. Ghana won its first two World Cup qualifying matches under the new regime and has looked far more united on and off the pitch.
But for Schäfer, this is only the beginning.
“There’s still a lot of work to do. The real challenge is to implement sustainable football projects within Ghana,” he explained. “I’m still looking for international partners who can support us. But I’m optimistic.”
Schäfer, known for his colourful and nomadic coaching career—from the Bundesliga to Cameroon, Thailand, Iran, and Jamaica—brings a unique blend of tactical acumen, cultural awareness, and unshakeable belief in African talent.
He famously led Cameroon to the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations title and was later appointed head coach of Jamaica, where he introduced modern systems and inspired youth development.
Now in Ghana, his job is less about leading from the touchline and more about shaping the future. As Director of Football, he oversees technical development, advises on national team structures, and is working to unify Ghana’s fractured football ecosystem.
“It’s not about being a guru,” he said. “But I’ve been around long enough to know what works in African football.”
The timing of Schäfer’s appointment could not be more crucial. Ghanaian football, once revered for its flair and power, has been under pressure in recent years due to disappointing results, administrative instability, and disconnect between players and management.
With World Cup qualification underway and the next Africa Cup of Nations looming, fans in Ghana are hoping Schäfer’s experience and calm guidance can steady the ship.
Beyond football, the German coach has also been busy promoting his new autobiography “Wildpark, Sheikhs and Voodoo Magic,” which details his storied global career. At a recent reading in Karlsruhe, 800 people attended—and gave him standing ovations before and after the event.
Still, his most touching moments come not under stadium lights, but back home in Germany.
“I was in Münster with my daughter recently, dropped off my grandson at kindergarten, and he came running to me shouting, ‘Grandpa!’” he smiled. “That’s the good stuff.”
Whether he’s managing a team in the heat of West Africa or telling football stories in Germany, Schäfer’s influence continues to span continents—and now, Ghana may be his most meaningful chapter yet.
