FORMER REPUBLIC OF IRELAND PLAYER Chris Hughton has returned to football management to take up a role with the Ghana national team.
Hughton, who played 53 times for Ireland between the years 1979–1991 replaces Otto Addo who stood down after Ghana were eliminated from the World Cup group stage in Qatar last year.
The Ireland veteran's father hails from Ghana and he was able to play for Ireland because of his Irish mother.
Houghton scored 1 goal for Ireland. The fullback also became the first mixed-race player to represent the Irish in 1979
In February 2022, Hughton accepted a role as technical advisor to be part of the Ghana national team's coaching staff for the period of their World Cup qualifiers in March but has now taken up a role as head coach.
A statement on the Ghana FA's website read, "The Ghana Football Association has the pleasure to appoint Chris Hughton as Head Coach of the Black Stars following extensive deliberations between the two parties.
"The appointment is in line with the vision of the GFA to continue with the project of building a formidable squad that started with Otto Addo in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament.
"Mr. Hughton has been the Technical Advisor of the Black Stars for the past twelve months.
Chris Hughton takes charge of the Black Stars https://t.co/bGejHOb0ei
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) February 12, 2023
"The GFA has also decided to maintain Assistant Coaches George Boateng and Mas-Ud Didi Dramani.
"The three coaches were part of the technical team for the World Cup in Qatar.
"Details about the duration of the contract and terms of engagement would be announced in due course."
This will be the first time that Houghton has taken up a similar role since losing his job as the Nottingham Forest boss in September 2021.
The 64-year-old has also managed the likes of Brighton, Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, and has also been employed the as short-term caretaker of the Ireland team during his career on the touchline.
Ghana play Angola on the 20th of March.
