Former Black Stars technical advisor Winfried Schäfer has admitted he was shocked by the Ghana Football Association’s decision to dismiss Otto Addo.

Addo, who guided Ghana to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was relieved of his duties following consecutive friendly defeats to Austria and Germany earlier this year.

His departure was confirmed after the 2-1 loss to Germany, just months after he had been reappointed on a three-year contract in March 2024.

Speaking for the first time on the matter, Schäfer told Transfermarkt that he was taken aback by the decision and only became aware of the situation on the night of the Germany match.

“I was just as surprised as Otto Addo,” Schafer said.

“He was informed of the separation after the Germany game. Otto came back to our table that night, where we were sitting analysing the game, and I could see immediately that he was shaken.”

Schafer recalled sensing that something was wrong before Addo broke the news himself.

“I asked him, ‘Otto, what’s wrong?’ And then he said he’d been fired.”

Following Addo’s exit, Ghana have appointed experienced Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz on a short-term basis to lead the Black Stars.