Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, has shared that he gains valuable tactical insights from renowned managers Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho.
The former Ghana international, who built his professional career in Germany with clubs like Hannover, Borussia Dortmund, and Mainz, has transitioned into a managerial role after retiring from active play. Addo served as an assistant coach at Dortmund before fully committing to his position with Ghana’s national team in March.
During a press conference in Accra, where he announced his squad for the Black Stars’ upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR), Addo discussed his coaching influences. When asked which manager he models his game after, the 48-year-old expressed his openness to learning from various coaching philosophies, particularly those of Guardiola and Mourinho.
“I always try to learn. I’m a coach who wants to learn, listen, and take advice, even from lower-tier coaches. I’m always open to discussions with other coaches, so I’m a learner,” Addo stated. “I learn a lot from Guardiola, I learn a lot from Mourinho, and I also learn from things you shouldn’t do as a coach.”
Describing his approach as a blend of various styles, Addo emphasized his adaptability. “In the end, I think I’m a mixture of everything. I can play offensively, I can play defensively, and I can mix both. I can make changes. I believe I’m a good reader of the game and good at predicting things to happen.”
Ghana is set to face Mali on June 6 for the World Cup qualifiers, followed by a home match against CAR four days later. As the team prepares for these crucial matches, Addo’s strategic insights and flexible approach, inspired by some of football’s greatest minds, are expected to be pivotal.