Winfried Schafer sacked as Ghana technical director ahead of World Cup

The Ghana Football Association has continued its sweeping restructuring of the Black Stars backroom staff, sacking technical advisor Winfried Schafer as the senior national team undergoes a major reset ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Schäfer, who was brought in late 2024 to support Otto Addo after Ghana failed to qualify for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, has now exited his role as the federation intensifies efforts to rebuild the technical setup.

His departure follows the dismissal of Otto Addo last month, signalling a broader overhaul of the team’s technical direction.

Joy Sports has reported that the reshuffle is not limited to the head coach and technical advisor positions, with several members of the support staff also expected to leave as the association prepares to grant the incoming coach full authority to select his own team.

The search for a new head coach is already advanced, with several high-profile names under consideration, including Slaven Bilic, Carlos Queiroz and Fernando Santos, all of whom bring extensive international experience at the highest level of the game.

Sports Minister Kofi Adams indicated last week that an official announcement could be made in the coming days, as the GFA works within a tight timeline ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The new coach will have just about 60 days to assemble a competitive squad and establish cohesion before Ghana begins its campaign against Panama on June 17, followed by group fixtures against England and Croatia on June 23 and June 27 respectively.

Sources indicate that the federation is prioritising stability and experience as it looks to restore competitiveness on the continental and global stage, with further structural changes expected in the coming weeks as preparations intensify.

Officials believe the appointment of a seasoned tactician will be crucial in shaping Ghana’s long-term project while also ensuring immediate readiness for the World Cup challenge.