Winfried Schäfer is back in the football business: the 75-year-old, who also felt fit enough for a coaching position, has now chosen a position above that and will henceforth support the Ghanaian national team as an advisor and director.
Winfried Schäfer is making his comeback in the football business at the age of 75 after an absence of just over three years. “I am in top form and would like to work in Arab countries again, but also for a national team in Africa. The experience I have gained over the years is invaluable,” said the former coach of Karlsruher SC shortly before his 75th birthday in January – now the time has come.
In Ghana, Schäfer, who has been a coach with breaks since 1986, will hold a new position: “In his new role, Schäfer will not only serve as a technical advisor, but will also oversee the development of Ghanaian football as director of football,” the national association announced.
Schäfer is to strengthen Ghana again
Together with head coach Otto Addo, Schäfer is to make the “Black Stars” successful again – most recently, the West Africans were knocked out of the 2024 Africa Cup in a group with Equatorial Guinea, Egypt and Mozambique. The glory of earlier days seemed to have faded, and qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America is now the top priority. “It is expected that Schäfer’s wealth of experience will be of great value to the Black Stars and the association as the nation seeks to rebuild the team,” the association continued. The first tasks on the road to recovery are Chad and Madagascar.
Schäfer, who is known for his exotic destinations, has previously coached the national teams of Cameroon, Thailand and Jamaica, among others. Before his engagement in Ghana, the former Bundesliga player managed the Qatari club Al-Khor SC from January to November 2021. Schäfer has also left his coaching mark in the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan and Iran.