Carlos Queiroz has been reinstated as head coach of Ghana's men's national team, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed, marking a swift return for the veteran Portuguese tactician just months after appearing to step away from the role.
Queiroz, 73, first took charge of the Black Stars in April and guided the team to the round of 32 at this year's FIFA World Cup, where their run ended with a 1-0 defeat to Colombia. Shortly after that loss, Queiroz seemed to signal his exit from the job via social media, leaving his future with the national team uncertain.
However, following internal deliberations, the GFA has opted to bring him back for another term at the helm. The federation has not disclosed the exact duration of his new contract but stated that Queiroz will be tasked with steering the team into what it described as "a successful new phase on the international stage."
In a statement explaining the decision, the GFA said: "The GFA believes Queiroz's extensive international experience, technical expertise and knowledge of the Black Stars position him strongly to lead the team into this next chapter."
The federation added that more information regarding the specifics of his role and mandate would be released in the coming days.
Queiroz brings a wealth of experience to the Ghanaian setup, having previously managed national teams at major tournaments including Iran, Portugal and Egypt. He has also held coaching positions with South Africa, Colombia and Qatar during a career spent largely in international football. Before his various national team assignments, Queiroz was known in England for his two stints as assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, a role that helped shape his reputation as one of football's most respected tactical minds.
His second spell in charge of Ghana will begin almost immediately, with qualification matches for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations set to start later this month. The Black Stars have been placed in Group C alongside Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Somalia, a section that includes the reigning African champions in Ivory Coast, who will provide a stiff early test for Queiroz's side.
Ghana are yet to confirm the dates and venues for their opening two fixtures in the group, but the campaign represents an important opportunity for Queiroz to build on the foundations laid during his brief first spell, particularly after the team's respectable showing at the World Cup earlier this year.
The decision to bring back Queiroz reflects the GFA's confidence in his ability to organize and elevate the squad despite the uncertainty that followed his apparent departure. His track record of taking multiple nations to major tournaments will be viewed as a key asset as Ghana looks to secure qualification for the next Africa Cup of Nations and beyond.
With the qualifiers approaching quickly, Queiroz will have limited time to reassess his squad and tactical approach before Ghana's campaign gets underway. Attention will now turn to the GFA's forthcoming announcement on the finer details of his contract, as well as the official fixture list for the opening qualifiers against opponents in a competitive Group C.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.