Carlos Queiroz has departed his position as head coach of the Ghana national football team, marking the end of a brief and difficult second tenure. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced on Thursday that the decision to terminate the 73-year-old Portuguese manager’s contract was reached through a mutual agreement, coming less than a month after he was reappointed to the post on September 2.
The resignation follows a demoralizing 4-2 loss to Gambia in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifier. During the match at the Accra Sports Stadium, the Black Stars surrendered a 2-0 lead established by goals from Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan. This defeat, compounded by an earlier 2-0 loss to Ivory Coast, leaves Ghana at the bottom of Group C without a single point after two matches, creating a significant challenge for their qualification hopes.
Reflecting on the exit, Queiroz stated that the decision was difficult but necessary, noting that current circumstances made continuing their professional relationship untenable. “The necessary conditions were not fully established, and our recent performance added to the decision to bring this journey to an end,” he said in an official statement. He emphasized that the interests of the team and the nation remained his top priority. According to “This was not an easy decision, but both parties agreed that, under the present circumstances, ending our professional relationship was the most appropriate course of action, with the interests of Ghana, the Black Stars and Ghanaian football above everything else,” Queiroz, In a parting message published on the association’s website.
Queiroz’s recent stint proved unproductive, as he leaves with a record of one win, two draws, and four losses across seven total matches, during which the team scored five goals and conceded 10. His involvement with the Black Stars initially began in April, when he signed a four-month deal to lead the squad through the 2026 World Cup.
During that initial tenure, he found success by guiding Ghana to the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time since 2010. That campaign included a victory over Panama and a draw against England, before their eventual 1-0 elimination by Colombia in the round of 32. With his departure now confirmed, the GFA faces renewed pressure to find stability as the team struggles to remain in contention for the next AFCON tournament.
