Carlos Queiroz steps down as Ghana boss after World Cup exit

Carlos Queiroz has left his role as Ghana head coach, just three months after taking charge, following the Black Stars’ exit from the World Cup at the last-32 stage. The BBC reports that the 73-year-old departed after Ghana were beaten 1-0 by Colombia in the first knockout round.

Queiroz took the reins in April and steered Ghana to a third-place finish in their group before their tournament run came to an end against the Colombians. His stint in charge lasted just three months from appointment to exit.

A familiar face in Manchester

Queiroz is a well-known figure to English football supporters, having served as Manchester United’s assistant manager between 2002 and 2003, and again from 2004 to 2008, working alongside Sir Alex Ferguson during some of the club’s most successful years.

The Portuguese coach’s exit from Ghana marked his fifth consecutive World Cup as a national team manager, having previously led Portugal, Iran and Egypt at major international tournaments, according to the BBC.

Second managerial exit of the day

Queiroz was not the only head coach to depart their post on Sunday. Jordan also parted company with manager Jamal Sellami after their side finished fourth in Group J at the tournament, the BBC reports.

The two departures come amid a wider wave of managerial changes across the World Cup as national federations begin reassessing their coaching set-ups following the group stage and early knockout rounds.

Ghana’s own World Cup campaign is now over, with the Black Stars left to reflect on a tournament that began with promise but ended at the first knockout hurdle. Attention will now turn to who the Ghana Football Association appoints as Queiroz’s successor as they look to rebuild for future qualifying campaigns.