Chris Hughton’s official unveiling as the head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars, took place on Monday, March 20, at the SG Mall in Kumasi.
The former Ireland international has signed a 21-month deal to take charge of the four-time African champions, which runs until December 2024.
The deal will be subject to performance review upon expiry. The former Newcastle United and Norwich manager will have his official residence in Ghana.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) says he will work with the same backroom staff Otto Addo had at the 2022 World Cup, with George Boateng and Didi Dramani serving as his assistants. The GFA also quashed reports Richard Kingson has been removed as goalkeepers' trainer.
The 64-year-old former Brighton and Hove Albion manager faced the media after his unveiling and answered critical questions regarding his Black Stars project.
There were questions from a section of Ghanaians about the duration of his contract but Hughton believes the close to two years deal is the perfect one.
He disclosed that serving as technical director of the team afforded him enough time to acclimatize with the players and staff.
Hughton reveals his priority as Ghana head coach is to focus on winning games.
Explaining how he intends to get home-based players into his squad, the London-born Ghanaian said he would spend more time in Ghana and watch Ghana Premier League games.
One of the trending topics at the moment is the best position for Ajax attacker, Mohammed Kudus, in the Black Stars because of how he is being deployed at club level. Hughton admits there will continue to be debates about his best position but what he will pay attention to is find the right balance with him in the team.
Another of the problems the experienced tactician will have to deal with is the disparity in the performances of Black Stars deputy captain, Thomas Partey, at Arsenal and the national team. He emphasized that the 29-year-old has quality that is massively appreciated by coaches and Partey will remain an important part of his team.
He also emphasized that there are no static metrics he will use to guide his Black Stars squad selections.
Chris Hughton will take charge of his first training session with players that have already flown into the country at Accra Sports Stadium later on Monday.
Ghana will take on Angola in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying doubleheader, with the first leg scheduled to be played at Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday while the reverse fixture will come off in Luanda four days later.
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