Four times national team coaches refused to resign after humiliating campaigns

Black Stars failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has reignited calls from Ghanaian football fans for the resignation of Otto Addo, even before the last group game against Niger in Accra on Monday, 18 November 2024.

Ghana failed to secure a single victory in the qualifiers, drawing three games and losing the other three in their six qualifying matches.

However, during the post-match press conference, Otto Addo vowed to stay on as Black Stars’ coach despite the humiliation, adding his name to a list of managers who failed at their jobs but refused to step down.

In this article, we analyze some moments when coaches declined to resign from their positions after disappointing campaigns.

1. Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil)

Scolari guided Brazil to a World Cup triumph in 2002 when his team defeated Germany by two goals in Japan. Following this triumph, a subsequent decline in performance led the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to reappoint him for another stint prior to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

All seemed promising as Scolari guided the Samba Boys to victory in the FIFA Confederations Cup. However, what happened on July 8, 2014, sent shockwaves through the football world. Scolari watched as his team was thrashed by Germany 7–1.

After the game, with humiliation staring him in the face, Scolari refused to step down, even when the Vice President of the CBF called for his immediate resignation. During his post-match interview, the 2002 World Cup winner admitted he planned to continue coaching the Selecao.

"I am not going to talk about my future until we finish our participation here; it makes no sense to discuss this now. After it's over, I will submit my report to the Brazilian Football Confederation, and they will make a decision," he stated.

Days later, after losing the bronze medal game to the Netherlands, Scolari was fired by the CBF.

2. Otto Addo (Ghana)

The Ghana Football Association’s decision to bring back Otto Addo, who had qualified Ghana for its fourth World Cup appearance in 2022, did not sit well with most fans. Many believed Addo was not the right man to lead a team yearning for trophies.

Nonetheless, he managed two wins in his first two competitive games: beating Mali 2–1 away and defeating the Central African Republic 4–3 in Kumasi.

For a Ghanaian team that had failed woefully at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), these victories provided a significant boost.

Then came the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. In a group featuring Niger, Sudan, and Angola, qualification seemed almost inevitable. However, Ghana failed to win any of their six games, marking the first time in two decades that they did not qualify for the tournament.

The calls for Otto Addo’s resignation intensified after Niger defeated the Black Stars in Ghana for the first time in history. During the post-match press conference, journalists demanded answers, but Addo remained defiant.

"I’m not the person who can resign. If I had done this, I would never have become a player or even a coach," he stated.

The Ghana Football Association will meet with its Executive Council on Wednesday, 20 November 2024, to deliberate on issues concerning the Black Stars, including Otto Addo’s future.

3. Joachim Löw (Germany)

Joachim Loew, in his final tournament as Germany’s manager after 15 years, faced immense pressure during the 2020 European Championships.

Two years earlier, he had guided the defending champions to a shocking group-stage exit at the 2018 World Cup.

When fans called for his resignation after the tournament, Loew deflected the question, asking for time to decide. The pressure mounted when Germany lost their opening game to France in the 2024 EUROs, but Loew remained adamant about fixing the problems.

"Tomorrow we have to process things but look ahead," Loew told reporters. "We lost, we are disappointed, but we still have two games, and we can fix it."

Loew eventually guided Germany to the Round of 16 in EURO 2024 and stepped down days later.

4. Fernando Santos (Poland)

Portuguese manager Fernando Santos endured a challenging tenure as Poland's national team coach but remained steadfast in his decision not to resign.

When Poland lost 2–0 to Albania in September 2023, leaving them 4th in Group E of the 2024 European Championship qualifiers and at serious risk of missing out on EURO 2024, Santos came under intense criticism.

During a press conference, when asked if he would resign, the Portuguese manager responded defiantly:

"Neither today nor tomorrow. Do I think I will continue? You have to ask the president about that. If he decides that he doesn't want me as a coach, he'll talk to me, and we'll find a solution. There will always be a solution."

However, days later, Santos was fired by the Polish FA.

As these stories show, resilience can be admirable, but when does it cross the line into stubbornness? The answer lies in the delicate balance between personal conviction and the greater good of the team. Ultimately, the decision to stay or step down also rests with the coaches and their respective organizations.

FKA/BB