Black Stars coach Otto Addo has shared that mastering his emotions has been a vital lesson during his initial tenure with the Ghanaian national team.
After facing backlash from disappointed fans during his first stint, Addo has returned as the permanent head coach, exhibiting a more composed and resilient demeanor. In an interview with 3Sports, Addo attributed his emotional growth to the support and advice from his family and the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Addo, who previously served as a talent coach at Borussia Dortmund, took on the critical task of leading Ghana in a 2022 World Cup qualification playoff against Nigeria. Despite initial setbacks, including a 2-1 loss to Nigeria and a 2-2 draw with Uganda in friendly matches, Ghana’s crucial wins over Mali and the Central African Republic have revived hopes of making their fifth World Cup appearance.
Reflecting on his emotional growth, Addo shared that his mother’s advice on managing his emotions played a significant role in his development.
“I don’t know if that [first stint] was different but actually my mother talked a lot to me about managing my emotions, even if I didn’t like certain things or questions. To be honest, some questions are a little bit, I don’t know,” he said.
Addo also credited his family and the FA president and Communications Director for providing him with good advice and helping him stay calm.
“I think I’ve learned not to be too emotional, even if there are questions I don’t like or if they are personal. I generally don’t listen to all the comments or insults. I just distance myself from them, which keeps me calm,” he added.
Now, Addo is focused on leading the Black Stars to success in the upcoming challenges and aims to make history by guiding Ghana to another global showcase.
