The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has stepped up its search for a new head coach for the Black Stars, with Slaven Bilić and Tom Saintfiet emerging as new candidates for the vacant role ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The two experienced managers are understood to have been added to the shortlist following an Executive Council meeting held on Friday, April 10, as the federation accelerates efforts to appoint a successor after Otto Addo’s departure.
Addo’s second spell in charge ended following a string of disappointing results, including friendly defeats to Austria and Germany, which are believed to have influenced the decision to part ways with him.
Among the names under consideration, Saintfiet brings extensive experience in African football, having worked with several national teams across the continent. The Belgian tactician is widely respected for his ability to deliver results with limited resources and gained global attention after guiding The Gambia to a historic quarterfinal finish at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations—the country’s first appearance at the tournament.
His coaching journey has included spells with Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Ethiopia, giving him a deep understanding of the African football environment. He is also reportedly in contention for the Mali national team job.
Bilić, meanwhile, is seen as a leading contender with top-level European experience. The former Croatia national team coach led his country to the quarterfinals of Euro 2008 and has built a reputation for tactical organisation and attacking football.
At club level, he is best known for his spell at West Ham United, where he guided the Premier League side to a seventh-place finish in the 2015–16 season. His managerial career has also taken him across Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and China, further broadening his international profile.
The two coaches are part of a wider shortlist that includes Carlos Queiroz and Hervé Renard, both of whom have also been linked with the Black Stars job in recent days.
The GFA is reportedly considering a short-term appointment to lead the team through the World Cup, with discussions centred on a possible four-month contract structure before a long-term decision is made.
This approach is believed to be driven by financial caution and the risk of committing to a long-term deal ahead of a high-pressure tournament.
Sources suggest that a relatively modest financial package in the region of $50,000 has been discussed, though concerns remain over whether it would be competitive enough to attract top-tier managerial names.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada fast approaching, the GFA is under increasing pressure to finalise an appointment capable of stabilising the team and restoring confidence on the international stage.
An official announcement is expected in the coming days as Ghana moves closer to naming its next head coach.
