Former Black Stars defender Mohammed Gargo has called for the dismissal of head coach Otto Addo following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
This marks the first time in 21 years that the Black Stars have missed out on AFCON qualification.
Under Addo’s leadership, the team endured a winless campaign, finishing with no victories in six matches, which concluded in November 2024.
Reports suggest that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is contemplating changes to the coaching staff, including potentially dismissing assistant coaches Joseph Laumann and John Paintsil while retaining Addo.
However, Gargo believes the head coach should bear ultimate responsibility for the team’s historic setback.
Speaking to Citi Sports, Gargo emphasized that accountability starts at the top.
“Whenever a team or any football team wants to dismiss the technical team, I think it starts with the head coach because you are responsible for what is happening,” he said.
“You give instructions to your assistants for them to carry out the tasks of the day, whether it’s the training session, the preparation, or otherwise.”
He added that keeping Addo while replacing the assistants would not address the root of the problem.
“So I think if that is going to happen, then the entire technical team must go so they can bring in a new team that could possibly do better. But not sack the assistants and leave the head coach.”
“Because as I’m saying, in some of his post-match interviews, he took responsibility for everything that happened,” he added.
The GFA is reportedly planning to appoint two new assistant coaches to support Addo as the Black Stars prepare for critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers starting in March.
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