Chris Hughton named new Black Stars head coach.

Chris Hughton named new Black Stars head coach.

Chris Hughton has been appointed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to lead the Black Stars as their next head coach.

After guiding Ghana to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, interim coach Otto Addo's short-term contract expired in December. The FA confirmed the veteran coach as Addo's replacement.

According to a GFA statement released on Sunday, the decision to hire the 64-year-old Irish-Ghanaian tactician was reached after lengthy discussions between the two parties and also aligns with the FA's goal of creating a strong national team with virtually the same technical staff that helped the Black Stars reach the World Cup in Qatar.

Along with Hughton, who served as the team's Technical Advisor, the FA also officially recognised George Boateng and Mas-Ud Didi Dramani as his assistant coaches.

However, details of Hughton’s contract were not disclosed.

His engagement was, probably, the worst-held secret as the former Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest and Brighton and Hove Albion coach was a leading candidate for the job before the FA settled on Otto Addo following the dismissal of Serbian Milovan Rajevac after Ghana’s abysmal performance at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroun last year.

His selection as the Technical Advisor for Ghana's World Cup squad was seen as a calculated move to facilitate a seamless transition after Otto Addo's six-month tenure.

Since the position has been open, many foreign coaches have applied for it or shown their interest, and Kwasi Appiah, a former Black Stars coach, has also indicated his readiness to be taken into consideration for a second return.

Hughton's immediate goal will be to get the Black Stars ready for their forthcoming doubleheader against Angola in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on March 20 and March 28.

Also Read: