Black Stars Begin Search For New Coach As Hervé Renard Emerges As An Option, Following Carlos Queiroz’s Departure

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) could once again be preparing for a major change on the Black Stars bench after veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz stepped down following Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. With the national team now searching for a new direction, experienced French manager Hervé Renard has quickly emerged as one of the leading names being linked with the vacant position.

Queiroz’s departure came just hours after Ghana’s World Cup journey ended with a narrow 1-0 Round of 32 defeat to Colombia. The 73-year-old, who had only been appointed by the GFA in April 2026, was brought in to replace Otto Addo less than three months before the tournament in a bid to steady the Black Stars ahead of football’s biggest stage. Despite the limited preparation time, he guided Ghana beyond the group stage after a victory over Panama, a draw against England and a defeat to Croatia, with the Black Stars progressing as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams. Their knockout defeat, however, marked the end of Queiroz’s brief spell in charge.

Announcing his decision on social media, Queiroz said he was proud of what the team had achieved but believed Ghana needed to continue building both on and off the pitch. He thanked the Ghana Football Association, his players and supporters while insisting that reaching the knockout stage should be the foundation for even greater ambitions rather than the final destination.

Attention has now turned to who could succeed the vastly experienced Portuguese tactician, and Hervé Renard has quickly become one of the strongest names mentioned. The Frenchman is currently without a coaching job after leaving his most recent role, making him one of the highest-profile managers available on the international market. His availability has immediately reignited discussions about whether Ghana should once again pursue a coach they have admired in the past.

Renard is regarded as one of Africa’s most accomplished international coaches. He remains the only manager to have won the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries—guiding Zambia to a historic triumph in 2012 before leading Ivory Coast to continental glory in 2015. He later managed Morocco, helping the Atlas Lions qualify for their first FIFA World Cup in two decades in 2018, before taking charge of Saudi Arabia, where he famously oversaw the team’s stunning victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Those achievements have earned him a reputation as one of the most successful coaches ever to work in African football.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Renard has been linked with the Black Stars. Before Queiroz’s appointment earlier this year, the French coach was widely reported to have been among the Ghana Football Association’s preferred candidates. The federation ultimately opted for Queiroz because of the urgency surrounding the World Cup preparations, but Renard’s availability has now reopened speculation that he could finally take charge of the four-time African champions.

For now, neither the Ghana Football Association nor Renard has confirmed that formal negotiations have begun. However, with the Black Stars eager to build on their respectable World Cup showing and prepare for upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, appointing a permanent coach has become one of the federation’s biggest priorities.