Back in the Black Stars dugout since early September, the Portuguese coach is leaving once more. A heavy home defeat to Gambia hastened a mutually agreed exit with the Ghana Football Association.
It ended quickly, for the second time. On Thursday, 1 October, Carlos Queiroz announced his departure as Ghana head coach in a message published on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) website. The two parties agreed to end their working relationship by mutual consent.
« It was not an easy decision, » the 73-year-old admitted. He explained that, in the current circumstances, parting ways was the most appropriate solution, adding that the conditions needed to carry out his mission had not been fully in place.
Gambia, the final blow
It all unravelled within a week. In their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, the Black Stars lost 2-0 in Ivory Coast. Then, on Tuesday, 29 September in Accra, they suffered a humiliating 4-2 home defeat to Gambia.
The result: no points from two games and bottom place in Group C. A disastrous start for a nation used to reaching the continental finals.
A rollercoaster spell
Queiroz’s time in charge of Ghana was chaotic, to say the least. Appointed in April on a four-month deal, the former Manchester United assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson was tasked with leading Ghana at the 2026 World Cup. The Black Stars reached the round of 32 before losing 1-0 to Colombia, after which Queiroz left his post.
Then came a twist in early September, when the GFA confirmed his return following a new agreement between the parties. Less than a month later, the adventure is over for good.
His overall record makes for grim reading: one win, two draws and four defeats in seven matches, with five goals scored and ten conceded.
An urgent rebuild
The Ghana Football Association must now find a successor quickly to revive a campaign that has already got off to a terrible start. No name has been officially put forward so far. For the Black Stars, time is running out.