Ghana are close to appointing former Germany head coach Joachim Low as their new boss, according to reports.
The Black Stars have been left without a manager just 75 days before their first World Cup group game with Panama on June 18, after the nation’s football bosses sacked Otto Addo following a dire run of four defeats in a row.
Ghana, who are in England’s group, were beaten 2-1 by Germany in Stuttgart on Monday night, having been thrashed 5-1 by Austria on Friday. That followed defeats by Japan and South Korea in their November friendlies.
But it seems Ghana’s crisis may now be over, with reports from the country suggesting that Low, who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, is set to take over.
The 66-year-old is expected to sign a short-term deal as manager, worth €150,000 (£131,000) per month. The deal will end after the World Cup.
Low has been out of work since stepping down as Germany boss after 15 years at the helm in 2021.
Joachim Low is reportedly close to taking the role as Ghana manager ahead of the World Cup
Ghana are without a head coach after losing their last four matches
His final match in charge was a 2-0 defeat to England at Wembley in the last 16 at Euro 2020.
And with the seconds ticking down, as Low’s reign drew to a disappointing and emotional end, the manager sent fans into a frenzy as his personal habits were caught on camera.
Eagle-eyed viewers spotted Low playing with his nose as he watched the play unfold at Wembley. And just moments later, the departing Germany boss appeared to lick the same hand.
It was one of several occasions where he was caught demonstrating some unhygienic habits – with the coach once pictured with his hand down his trousers.
If Low does take the job, he will get the opportunity to take revenge against the Three Lions in Ghana’s second group game on June 23.
The Black Stars will be hoping Low can bring some of his tournament magic to them, as he was known for routinely guiding Germany to the latter part of major international tournaments – aside from Russia in 2018.
Low, who took over the job from Jurgen Klinsmann in 2006, also led Germany to a third-place finish at the 2010 World Cup – in which they famously knocked out England – as well as two European Championship semi-finals and one final in 2008, where they suffered an agonising 1-0 defeat against Spain.
As well as delivering Germany’s fourth World Cup success 12 years ago, Low also won the Confederations Cup in 2017.
Former boss Addo was on his second spell as coach of Ghana – before he was dismissed earlier this week – after Borussia Dortmund agreed to release him from his role in talent development at the end of the season in March 2024.
Otto Addo, pictured on Monday night, was sacked by Ghana after four straight defeats
Low was once seen picking his nose and licking it on the touchline when Germany manager
Addo already coached Ghana on an interim basis for much of 2022, including at the World Cup in Qatar, when Ghana beat South Korea but was still eliminated in the group stage.
On Monday night, the GFA said in a statement: ‘The Ghana Football Association (GFA) have parted ways with the head coach of the senior men´s national team (Black Stars), Otto Addo effective immediately.’
It gave no further details on a replacement for Addo or the reasons for the termination.
But Low is expected to be that replacement, ending his hiatus by accepting the head-coach position.
