'Current local coaches not ready for Black Stars job” — Vanderpuye calls for African coach

Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has weighed in on the ongoing debate over who should lead Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, insisting that current local coaches are not yet ready for the role.

Speaking to Citi Sports, Vanderpuye acknowledged Ghana’s history of success with indigenous coaches but stressed that those triumphs were achieved under highly experienced managers.

“We won trophies in the past with Ghanaian coaches, but they were good coaches,” he stated.

He pointed to a number of current Ghanaian coaches including Otto Addo, Ibrahim Tanko, C. K. Akonnor, Godwin Attram, and Laryea Kingston as promising talents who are still developing their coaching careers.

According to him, while these individuals have potential, they have not yet built the level of experience required to take charge of the Black Stars.

“They are all coming up. They have not gotten to where we can entrust the Black Stars into their hands,” he explained.

Vanderpuye emphasized the need for these coaches to gain more hands-on experience at the club level, where they can develop their tactical knowledge, leadership skills, and track record.

“They should go and start at the club level to build their résumé and capacity,” he advised.

His comments come amid renewed discussions about the future direction of the national team, particularly following suggestions by football legend Rev. Osei Kofi, who has advocated for local coaching solutions.

While Vanderpuye said he agrees with Rev. Osei Kofi “to an extent,” he made his position clear on the type of coach he believes Ghana needs at this stage.

“Inasmuch as I say we don’t need European coaches, I think we need an African coach,” he concluded.