Newly appointed Carlos Queiroz has made his intentions clear after taking charge of the Ghana national football team, stating that his priority is results rather than any fixed style of play.
The Portuguese tactician, who has signed a short-term deal to lead Ghana into the upcoming World Cup, addressed the media for the first time on Thursday, where he dismissed labels often attached to his coaching philosophy.
“I am a winning coach. I don’t understand that thing of defend or attack,” Queiroz said, pushing back against perceptions that his teams are overly defensive.
He explained that his approach is rooted in balance and collective responsibility, particularly when the team is out of possession. “When we don’t have the ball, we have to fight together, sacrifice, suffer to recover the ball as fast as possible in order to build up opportunities and score,” he added.
Queiroz’s comments come amid ongoing debate about his tactical identity, with critics often associating his teams with compact, defensive football. However, the experienced coach insists that winning remains the only objective that matters.
“At the end, in Ghana, and the rest of the world, there is only one reason in football—to win,” he emphasised.
The 73-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the role, including previous work on the African continent where he guided Egypt to the final of the AFCON 2021.
His first assignment as Ghana coach will be a friendly match against Wales national football team on May 2 in Cardiff, offering an early opportunity to assess his squad and begin implementing his ideas.
Queiroz will then lead Ghana into the World Cup, where they have been drawn in Group L alongside England national football team, Croatia national football team, and Panama national football team.
With expectations high and time limited, Queiroz faces the immediate challenge of stabilising the team and delivering results on the biggest stage.
