Otto Addo has been announced as the new head coach of the Black Stars after being identified as the outstanding candidate, says the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

The 47-year-old returns to the Ghana national team 15 months after leading the side to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He takes over from Chris Hughton, who was sacked after the Black Stars exited the recent TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire at the group stage.

The GFA announced on Friday that Addo will take over the Black Stars on a 34-month contract, which can be extended for a further two years.

Addo, currently part of the coaching staff at Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, impressed the five-person panel during a rigorous interview process.

“Otto was exceptional and was rated highly by the search committee, hence the decision,” said GFA president Simeon-Okraku.

“There were some brilliant individuals among the coaches who applied for the job, so the committee took the pain to interview a chunk of them to pick their thoughts.”

Addo will be released from his Dortmund duties to take charge of Ghana for this month’s international window before returning to Germany.

He will leave the Bundesliga club permanently in May to begin his new role with the four-time African champions.

“The committee was overly satisfied with Otto’s performance, so he was recommended to the Executive Council for approval,” Okraku added.

The 47-year-old knows Ghanaian football well, having played for the Black Stars and led their coaching staff at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He now faces the challenge of reviving the nation’s fortunes after it missed qualifying for the knock-out phase of this year’s TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.