Ghana consider five candidates to replace Carlos Queiroz after disastrous CAN 2027 start

Ghana must appoint a new manager quickly after parting company with Carlos Queiroz just months into his tenure, following defeats in their opening two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.

The Black Stars lost 2-0 in Cote d’Ivoire before suffering a damaging 4-2 home defeat by The Gambia. They now face a double-header against Somalia in November, with their hopes of avoiding a second successive absence from the Africa Cup of Nations already under threat.

Once one of Africa’s leading football nations, Ghana are enduring a steep decline. Several experienced coaches currently without a club could be considered as the country seeks to restore stability.

Walid Regragui

Walid Regragui would arguably be the most prestigious appointment. The 50-year-old has been without a club since leaving Morocco, although he joined Canal+ in September as a consultant for European football and Premier League coverage.

His knowledge of African football, combined with Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, would give him considerable authority for a rebuilding project. It remains uncertain whether Regragui would want to take on another African national-team role.

Patrice Beaumelle

Patrice Beaumelle has extensive experience across the continent, having worked in Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco, Algeria, Angola and Tunisia.

He was an assistant to Herve Renard when Zambia won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 and Cote d’Ivoire lifted the trophy in 2015. Beaumelle later managed both the Chipolopolo and the Elephants himself.

More recently, he won the Algerian championship with MC Alger in 2024 before spells in Angola and at Esperance de Tunis. He has been available since leaving the Tunisian club in May and would bring an immediate understanding of the demands of African football.

Marc Brys

Marc Brys’ time in Cameroon was marked by a public institutional dispute involving the Ministry of Sports and Samuel Eto’o, including several confrontations with the president of the Fecafoot.

The Belgian’s experience was turbulent, but it exposed him to the intense pressure surrounding a major African national team. His name had already been linked with the Ghana job in April. Brys also has a long club-management career, although not at the highest level, and could offer Ghana authority and a distinct identity after years of instability.

Tom Saintfiet

Tom Saintfiet has managed numerous national teams in Africa and is particularly remembered for guiding The Gambia to the quarter-finals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

He has been without a job since leaving Mali in April. His name was also mentioned after Otto Addo departed Ghana, although the Ghanaian press reported that no concrete contact took place.

Saintfiet may lack the profile of Regragui, but he has a record of building competitive teams in difficult circumstances.

Pape Thiaw

Pape Thiaw is another possible option. He led Senegal to victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations but was dismissed after the Lions were eliminated in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

His position is complicated by an ongoing dispute with the Senegalese Football Federation. Thiaw is seeking more than 423 million FCFA in unpaid salaries, bonuses and contractual benefits.

At 45, his recent African title and knowledge of West African football could nevertheless appeal to Ghana if they choose an African coach.

Whoever takes the job will inherit two defeats and no points in qualifying, with Somalia waiting twice in November. Having already missed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana, four-time African champions, cannot afford another mistake. The new manager will need to win immediately.