Marcel Desailly says Otto Addo was unlucky to lose Ghana job

French football legend Marcel Desailly has expressed deep sympathy for Otto Addo, insisting the former Ghana coach was “unlucky” to lose his job after a difficult run of results.

Addo was relieved of his duties following four straight friendly defeats, including a 2-1 loss to Germany, and Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, their first absence in more than two decades.

Desailly, who was born in Accra and maintains strong ties to Ghana, said he remains fond of Addo despite the pressure that led to his dismissal.

“I love the previous coach (Otto Addo),” he told Flashscore. “He was unlucky that they did not perform during the friendlies. But I believe that Queiroz will bring his own touch into the system. I talk about the system.

“In Ghana and many other countries, the system is that sometimes the coach has to adapt to what the management and administration are telling him, you see?"

Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup group fixtures will take place between Wednesday, June 17, and Saturday, June 27, 2026, across three different cities in Canada and the United States.

Competing in Group L, the Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, 2026, at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) in Toronto, Canada.

For their second match, Ghana will face England on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The team will then conclude their group stage assignments against Croatia on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.