Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has paid tribute to former Black Stars coach Otto Addo, insisting the tactician gave everything he could during his time in charge of the national team.
Addo was dismissed in March 2026 after Ghana suffered consecutive defeats to Austria and Germany in international friendlies staged as preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensified. The Ghana Football Association later turned to experienced Portuguese manager Carlos Queiroz as the new man to lead the Black Stars into the tournament.
Despite mounting criticism that surrounded Addo in recent months, Gyan believes the former coach handled the circumstances as best as possible with the squad at his disposal.
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“For me, he did what he had to do. The calibre of players he had, he had to use them,” he said during an interview with Channel One TV.
The former Sunderland striker acknowledged that frustration among supporters reached boiling point after Ghana failed to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with underwhelming performances in friendly matches only adding to the pressure around the team.
“People were very disappointed when we didn’t qualify for the AFCON. So that mark was already there, and it got to a time when the friendly games were also part of it, we weren’t getting the results that we should get,” he stated.
Gyan further stressed that football can often be unforgiving for coaches, regardless of their reputation or tactical ability, especially when positive results are absent.
“It happens everywhere. You can be the best coach in the world, but when results are not coming the way people want, they can make a decision. It doesn’t mean you are a bad coach,” he said.
While admitting Ghana’s AFCON failure was painful, Gyan was quick to remind critics that Addo still achieved one major objective by steering the Black Stars to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Although we didn’t qualify for the AFCON, he was able to qualify the team for the World Cup,” Gyan added.
The ex-Ghana skipper also explained that final decisions regarding national team coaches ultimately lie with football administrators rather than former players or technical observers.
“Everything depends on the big men who are behind it, how they see it. We are technical men; we cannot say why you did it. We can chip in what we think. But at the end of the day, they make decisions, and they feel this decision is better for Ghana,” he explained.
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Gyan ended by expressing gratitude to Addo for his commitment to Ghana football and wished him success in the next chapter of his coaching career.
“So what Otto Addo did for Ghana is good for himself, he was able to qualify the team for the World Cup. So I would like to thank him for what he has done for Ghana and I wish him nothing but the best,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Queiroz is set to take charge of his first major test when Ghana faces Mexico in an international friendly on May 22 as preparations for the World Cup continue.
