Local coaches are not capable of controlling Black Stars team - Ernest Thompson

Former Management Committee Member of the Black Stars, Ernest Thompson, has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Sports not to settle on a local coach as Otto Addo's successor, but rather go in for a well-established foreign tactician.

The GFA is currently in search of a new head trainer following the dismissal of Otto Addo after the March international friendly games against Austria and Germany.

Kwesi Appiah, Joachim Low and Pitso Mosimane's names have strongly emerged as possible candidates to replace the 50-year-old with less than three months to the World Cup in North America.

However, Mr Thompson, speaking to Joy FM, insisted that based on his experience, Ghanaian coaches have struggled to maintain control within the team and resist external interference.

“Looking at where we are now after parting ways with Otto Addo, we need to go for the best," he said.

"For the next six months, I would not recommend appointing a Ghanaian coach. From my experience, they have not been able to effectively control their camp. We need a coach in the mould of a Mariano Barreto or Milovan Rajevac."

Thompson also expressed doubts about former Black Stars head coach Kwesi Appiah, who has been linked with the role, stating that he lacks the authority required to manage the national team at this level.

“I don’t think Kwesi Appiah has the firmness needed to control this team.

"At this stage, we are dealing with high stakes — the World Cup is not a playground like the Africa Cup of Nations.

"Look at countries like England and Brazil; they’ve made bold decisions when necessary. See who they appointed. We need a coach with strong authority, character, and a solid technical team behind him,” he added.

Meanwhile, the GFA is expected to announce a new head trainer within this week before the Black Stars regroup in May to play Mexico as part of their preparatory games for the Mundial.