Queiroz earns $80,000 monthly as Black Stars coach, not $100,000 — Sport Minister Kofi Adams clarifies

Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams has finally put to rest months of speculation surrounding the remuneration of Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz, confirming that the Portuguese tactician earns $80,000 per month – not the $100,000 that had been widely reported.

The clarification came during a candid interview with TV3, following growing public pressure on the minister and other stakeholders to disclose the financial terms of the veteran coach’s contract for the sake of transparency.

“Carlos Queiroz earns $80,000 a month, not the $100,000 that had been speculated,” Adams stated unequivocally.

Short-term contract, long-standing speculation

Queiroz, 73, was appointed as Ghana’s head coach in April 2026 on a short-term four-month contract following the dismissal of Otto Addo, who was relieved of his duties after consecutive defeats to Austria and Germany during the March international break.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) officially unveiled the experienced Portuguese manager – who has previously led Real Madrid as well as the national teams of Portugal, Iran, Egypt, and Colombia – at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on April 16.

However, the financial details of his deal were never made public at the time, fueling widespread speculation that he was earning as much as $100,000 monthly – a figure Adams had previously dismissed as inaccurate even before the World Cup.

World Cup campaign and performance

Despite taking charge only months before the tournament, Queiroz guided the Black Stars to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since the 2010 edition in South Africa.

Ghana opened their Group C campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama, before holding England to a goalless draw. A 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final group fixture saw the Black Stars finish third in the standings – but the results were enough to secure qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.

Ghana’s World Cup journey eventually ended with a narrow 1-0 loss to Colombia in the knockout stage.

Contract extension on the horizon

Despite the elimination, Queiroz’s performance has reportedly impressed both the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, with the veteran coach now expected to be offered a two-year contract extension.

The new agreement would keep the 73-year-old in charge through the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Ghana – four-time African champions – will aim to end a trophy drought that has lasted since 1982.

Adams, who earlier this week expressed his support for a two-year deal, confirmed that talks are ongoing between the GFA and the Ministry. The Black Stars have been drawn in Group C for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Somalia and The Gambia, with the qualifying campaign scheduled to begin in September.

Salary sparks debate

At approximately $960,000 annually, Queiroz’s salary has prompted questions about return on investment in Ghana’s national team amid broader economic considerations. Supporters highlight the coach’s elite track record and his ability to guide Ghana to the World Cup knockout stage on short notice, while critics scrutinise the figure in light of domestic football priorities.

The disclosure comes just days after Queiroz publicly denied rumours that he had resigned, clarifying that an emotional social media post following Ghana’s World Cup exit had been misinterpreted as a farewell message. His current contract expires on July 31, 2026.