GFA wants a coach they can manipulate – Sam George

Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has said that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) wants a coach they can manipulate for the Black Stars.

According to the MP, the GFA has decided to appoint Chris Hughton as the next head coach of the senior national team following Otto Addo’s resignation after the Black Stars exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

However, Sam George asserts that the decision was made long ago as the GFA intends to appoint someone they can have “control” over.

“That [coaching] job they have given it to Chris Hughton already, so why are we wasting our time?” he quizzed on Joy Prime.

“They have given it to him because they want someone they can manipulate, someone they can use to do their business, someone they can tell him to bring his team selection [with changes being made with regards to agency call-ups] regardless of how long the person has played or not played.

The MP also disclosed that the GFA uses conduits for personal benefit.

“People are using GFA to make money; they are using it to feed their family.”

When asked whether he had proof of his comments, he said, “Tell me how Baba Rahman found his way to the last squad at the final game at the World Cup [v Uruguay]”.

“What ball did he play? What ball had he played? Is Baba Rahman’s agent not our GFA president?”

Meanwhile, Former Black Stars coach James Kwesi Appiah has submitted his application for the vacant role of the Black Stars coach. Reports in the local media suggest the GFA has shortlisted three foreign coaches for the senior national team job.

Chris Hughton, Manchester United assistant coach Steve McClaren and Hector Cupper are said to be on the list.

A new appointment is expected to be announced before the Black Stars regroup ahead of their next games in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.