Chris Hughton reflects on Ghana exit: “I would have wanted more time”
Former Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton has opened up about his dismissal earlier this year, expressing a desire for more time to adapt to the demands of international football.
Hughton, who initially served as technical advisor to Otto Addo during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, was appointed head coach after Addo stepped down post-Qatar. However, his tenure came to an abrupt end following Ghana’s group-stage exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Speaking to 3Sports, the former Brighton and Nottingham Forest manager acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from club to national team management — particularly in the African context.
“It’s about the structure — I was told that when you’re used to club level, it does take some time to adjust to national football, because the stakes today are very different in national football, and of course, working in Africa,” Hughton said.
“So I would have wanted more time, and I generally feel that, having been given more time, I would have adjusted better to the role. But this is football; it’s very much about results and emotions.”
Hughton’s brief spell was marked by mixed performances and mounting pressure, culminating in the AFCON disappointment. In the aftermath, the Ghana Football Association reappointed Otto Addo on a long-term deal to lead the team into the 2026 World Cup cycle.
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