Queiroz and GFA part ways by mutual consent.

The Ghana Football Association and Carlos Queiroz have mutually agreed to end the Portuguese coach’s contract as head coach of the Black Stars, closing his second spell in charge in less than a month.

The GFA announced the termination of the service agreement on Thursday, after discussions both sides described as being held in a spirit of mutual respect. The Association said the decision, though not an easy one, was taken in the interests of Ghana, the Black Stars and Ghanaian football, and that ending the relationship was the most appropriate course under the present circumstances.

Queiroz’s own statement struck the same note, and went further. “Despite our commitment and efforts, the necessary conditions were not fully established, and our recent performance added to the decision to bring this journey to an end,” he said. He thanked the GFA and its president for the trust placed in him, paid tribute to his technical staff, and urged Ghanaians to keep backing the players. “Ghana comes first. The Black Stars come first. Ghanaian football comes first,” he wrote.

The split follows a bruising opening to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Ghana lost 2-0 away to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on 24 September, then surrendered a 2-0 lead at the Accra Sports Stadium on 29 September to lose 4-2 to The Gambia. Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan had put the Black Stars in front before the visitors scored four times. Ghana sit bottom of Group C with no points from two matches.

It is Queiroz’s second exit in three months. The 73-year-old stepped down on 5 July after Ghana’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended in the round of 32, then was reappointed on 2 September to lead the team into the next cycle. Across his time in charge he oversaw seven matches, with a record of one win, two draws and four defeats, scoring five goals and conceding ten, according to match reports. At the World Cup, Ghana drew 0-0 with England, lost 2-1 to Croatia, beat Panama 1-0, and went out to Colombia.

The former Real Madrid and Portugal manager, and one-time assistant at Manchester United, said it had been an honour to serve the Black Stars and that he was leaving with respect, gratitude and pride. The GFA thanked him for his commitment and professionalism, and said it would announce the next technical arrangements for the national team in due course.

Ghana’s qualifying campaign continues without a permanent head coach, and with the early results already leaving little margin for error.