Former coach of Ghana Black Stars, Chris Hughton has opened up about his time in charge of the senior national team for the first time after his dismissal in 2023.
Chris Hughton served as technical advisor coach Otto Addo in 2022, but was appointed as Addo’s replacement after a poor showing at the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup.
A disappointing African Cup of Nations performance in Ivory Coast led to him being kicked out not long after assuming the role.
Ghana was booted out of the tournament at the group stages to the dismay of many.
Chris Hughton admitted that the Black Stars job was a challenging role, describing Ghanaians are very passionate about football especially the Black Stars.
He admitted that being in charge of the team meant he was always under pressure and immense scrutiny from the Ghanaian people.
“Working in Africa is very different. I worked for a nation that is football-mad. One thing Ghanaians love, apart from the Premier League, is the Black Stars.”
Hughton has spent most of his managerial career in England and was new to African football terrain.
According to him, he was aware of this pressure and knew results would be the ultimate measure of his tenure.
“I knew the pressure of taking the job when I took it, and if you’re not getting the right results, then you will know about it.”
Away from this, the 65-year-old is still keen on contributing to football and helping the game in any means possible.
Hughton’s coaching and managerial career has seen him at teams such as Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Birmingham City, Norwich City, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Nottingham Forest.
