Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has weighed in on the ongoing search for a new head coach of the Ghana national football team, urging a measured approach when considering local managerial talent.
With the position vacant following the departure of Otto Addo, debate has intensified over whether Ghana should turn to a homegrown coach or look elsewhere on the continent—or beyond.
Vanderpuye acknowledged Ghana’s historical success under indigenous coaches but emphasized that the current crop may not yet be ready for the demands of the senior national team job.
“We won trophies in the past with Ghanaian coaches, but they were good coaches,” he stated. “Otto Addo, Ibrahim Tanko, C. K. Akonnor, Godwin Attram, Laryea Kingston and others are all coming up.”
He stressed the importance of experience and progression through the coaching ranks, suggesting that aspiring national team coaches should first prove themselves consistently at club level.
“They have not gotten to where we can entrust the Black Stars into their hands. They should go and start at the club level to build their résumé and capacity,” he added.
While distancing himself from the idea of appointing a European coach, Vanderpuye indicated a preference for a more contextually aligned solution, backing the prospect of hiring an African tactician.
“I agree with Rev. Osei Kofi to an extent, but inasmuch as I say we don’t need European coaches, I think we need an African coach,” he concluded.
His comments are likely to further fuel the national conversation as the Ghana Football Association continues its search for a suitable successor—one tasked with restoring confidence and guiding the Black Stars through a critical phase on the international stage.
The post Vanderpuye Urges Caution on Local Coaches, Backs African Option for Black Stars Job first appeared on Africa Top Sports.
