Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has thanked former Black Stars coach Otto Addo for his work with the national team.
Addo lost his job in March 2026 after Ghana suffered defeats against Austria and Germany in friendly matches before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Ghana Football Association later appointed Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz as the new Black Stars gaffer.
Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV, Gyan said Addo did his best with the players he had.
“For me, he did what he had to do. The calibre of players he had, he had to use them,” he said.
Gyan explained that many fans became unhappy after Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Poor results in friendly games also increased pressure on the coach.
“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.
The former goal machine added that coaches are often judged by results.
“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.
Gyan also praised Addo for helping Ghana qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Although we didn’t qualify for the AFCON, he was able to qualify the team for the World Cup,” he added.
He said football leaders are the ones who make final decisions about coaches.
“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.
Gyan ended by thanking Addo and wishing him well.
“So what Otto Addo did for Ghana is good for himself, he was able to qualify the team for the World Cup. So I will like to thank him for what he has done for Ghana and I wish him nothing but the best.”
Meanwhile, Queiroz will lead Ghana for the first time in a friendly game against Mexico on May 22.
By: Pascal Amoah
