The Que Question - Is Carlos Queiroz the Right Man for Ghana?

The Que Question - Is Carlos Queiroz the Right Man for Ghana?

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The Que Question - Is Carlos Queiroz the Right Man for Ghana?

It’s been a rollercoaster year for Ghana, from the shock of failing to qualify for AFCON, to managerial upheaval, to sealing their place at the biggest FIFA World Cup the game has ever seen.

Following the sacking of Otto Addo as head coach after a calamitous international break, which saw the Black Stars humiliated by Austria and Germany, veteran manager Carlos Queiroz will be stepping into the role of head coach for the Ghana National team.

Few managers arrive with the pedigree of Carlos Queiroz. Armed with an illustrious CV and vast international experience, the 73-year-old now takes charge of a Ghana side rich in talent but desperate for stability. For the Black Stars, this appointment feels like both a reset and an opportunity. With the World Cup on the horizon, all eyes will be on how Queiroz can shape this team for the biggest stage of all.

The Early Days

In 2000, Queiroz was appointed as the manager of the South African football side. At the time, Bafana Bafana were one of the best teams on the continent, fresh off a 1998 AFCON win and sitting comfortably in the top 20 of the FIFA World Rankings.

Under Queiroz, South Africa qualified for the 2002 World Cup, however after a break down in relations with the South African Football Association (SAFA), he resigned before the tournament began.

At the start of the 2002/03 season, Queiroz joined Manchester United’s coaching staff and began working closely alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. It did not take long for him to rise through the ranks, as he was soon promoted to assistant manager following the departure of former England boss Steve McLaren.

While much of United’s success was naturally credited to Ferguson, Queiroz’s influence behind the scenes did not go unnoticed. His tactical input and coaching reputation earned widespread recognition, and in 2003 Real Madrid moved to appoint him as manager following the departure of Vicente del Bosque.

Queiroz held the position as manager at the Bernabéu for only 10 months, and despite the array of talent at his disposal such as the likes of Zinedine Zidane, the Galacticos managed a fourth placed finish in the league, prompting Florentiono Perez to relieve Queiroz of his duties.

Nonetheless, Alex Ferguson welcomed him back to the coaching staff at Old Trafford with ease. The Real Madrid role was one that was undeniably impossible to turn down, but working as Sir Alex's right hand man is also something to be considered a greater honour.

The Return to Old Trafford

Upon his return to Manchester United, many felt Queiroz’s absence during the 2003/04 season had been keenly felt, with the club failing to win the Premier League and falling short of making any real impression in the UEFA Champions League.

During his time at Old Trafford, Queiroz earned enormous respect and was widely seen as one of the most influential figures behind Sir Alex Ferguson. Both players and supporters often spoke highly of the Portuguese coach and the impact he had on the side. Still, while his reputation was strong, not everyone at the club viewed him in quite the same light

Back in 2005, Roy Keane and Queiroz had the sort of argument only Roy Keane could truly deliver, with the fallout eventually contributing to the Irishman’s departure from Manchester United. In 2018, Keane looked back on it and said his only regret was not ripping Queiroz’s head off, which seems a bit much, Roy. The man was a coach, not a Bond villain.

Queiroz stayed at Old Trafford until 2008, helping Man United lift the league in 2007. Often, he would speak on behalf of the club due to Alex Ferguson's refusal to speak with BBC programmes. Some of Queiroz's post match interviews were controversial however, sometimes describing referee performances as "disgraceful".

After a flurry of improper conducts, Queiroz left the club in 2008 to seek new opportunities.

Life After Old Trafford

In July 2008, Queiroz agreed a deal to become the head coach of the Portugal national team. Unfortunately, it was a tumultuous time for the nation's football. During their 2010 World Cup qualification, the side lost 4 matches in a row and left them on the brink of not qualifying for a major tournament for the first time since 1998. Luckily, the side turned it around and qualified for the 2010 World Cup, but their performances in South Africa were nothing to write home about.

Despite beating North Korea 7-0 in the group, Portugal played out two uninspiring goalless draws against Ivory Coast and Germany. Following this, the side lost to eventual winners Spain in the Round of 16, capping off a lacklustre tournament in which Portugal failed to score in 3 out of their 4 matches. Following the World Cup, controversy ensued Queiroz who subsequently left his post in 2011.

Queiroz then agreed an initial two-and-a-half year deal with Iran. The manager took Iran to the 2014 World Cup, and despite not making it out of the group stage, Iran played out an impressive goalless draw against Argentina. Things went smoothly at Iran for Queiroz, as the manager went on to hold the position for the 2018 World Cup, and the side were desperately unlucky to not make the knockout rounds this time after they lost to his home nation, Portugal.

In 2019, Queiroz took over the role as head coach of the Colombia national team. Unfortunately, things didn't go smoothly, and owing to a combination of poor performances and the COVID-19 pandemic, Colombia failed to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which saw the manager relieved of his duties.

Time in Colombia was followed by a brief successful stint at Egypt, where Queiroz led them to a second placed AFCON finish. After leaving Egypt, Queiroz returned to his post at Iran for the 2022 World Cup, taking charge of the nation for a third consecutive World Cup. Following a 6-2 defeat to England, a 1-0 loss to USA, and despite a victory against Wales, Iran failed to qualify for the knockout stages again.

After leaving Iran (again), Queiroz had a brief stint at Qatar in 2023, followed by a one-year post at Oman. Now, he is the head coach of the Ghanaian national side.

Queiroz - The Right Man For Ghana?

There is no question that this is a smart appointment by Ghana. Queiroz arrives with a vast range of experience across both club and international football, having built a career that spans elite managerial roles, assistant positions, and major honours.

Just as importantly, he has a proven record on the international stage. Having been involved with a team at every World Cup since 2010, Queiroz is no stranger to the pressure, scrutiny, and fine margins that define tournament football. His previous spells with South Africa and Egypt also mean he understands African football far better than most foreign coaches, giving Ghana a manager with both global pedigree and continental insight.

At 73-years old, Queiroz has overseen generations of talent, and while many may feel his approach could be outdated in today's game, they are quick to forget that international tournament football is nothing like we are accustomed to seeing weekly.

The Black Stars are littered with talent, with the likes of Man City's Antoine Semenyo and Spurs' Mohammed Kudus. The nation's top goalscorer Jordan Ayew remains an ever-present in the side, while former Arsenal anchor-man Thomas Partey forms the base of the midfield. A side hugely underperforming, Queiroz may be the catalyst that reinvigorates belief in the already proven quality.

Ghana are placed in Group L with England, Panama, and Croatia. While this may prove to be a difficult group, it is worth noting that due to the new format, up to 3 teams can qualify from the group stages to the knockout rounds, meaning Queiroz has time to figure out his strongest XI.

One of African football's sleeping giants, Ghana have gone through significant changes in the last year. An experienced figure like Carlos Queiroz may be exactly what the Black Stars need to get them on the right track. While it is unclear as to whether he will be in charge following the summer's tournament, Ghanaians can be assured that Queiroz will steer them in the right direction.

Arthur Turner
Arthur Turner CAF Football Analyst & Writer

Arthur Turner

Arthur is a writer at The Football Park, where he primarily focuses on African football and CAF competitions. Having spent a decade living in South Africa, he developed a deep passion for the continent’s game, which continues to shape his storytelling. Spotlighting emerging talents, major continental tournaments, and the cultural heartbeat of football across Africa, he provides fans with everything they need to know about African football.

Earlier in his writing career, Arthur covered the full breadth of the EFL as well as the rich, ever-evolving world of grassroots football, building a foundation in match reporting and feature writing. Arthur’s previous work also includes detailed season coverage of Chelsea FC loan players, writing extensively about rising stars such as Estevão Willian and Andrey Santos. A lifelong Chelsea fan, he brings both emotional investment and sharp insight to everything he produces.

Currently a student, Arthur blends light-hearted, fan-friendly storytelling with thoughtful tactical analysis and narrative-driven features, exploring both the technical and cultural sides of the sport with clarity and enthusiasm.

View all articles by Arthur Turner →

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