Otto Addo

Addo was born on 9 June 1975 in Hamburg, West Germany, to Ghanaian parents.{{Cite web|title=Otto Addo|url=https://gh.soccerway.com/coaches/otto-addo/270941/ |access-date=15 May 2021|website=Soccerway}} He has a dual nationality.{{Cite web |title=Otto Addo - Soccer Player - Hamburg |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/soccer/player.php?ID=3 |access-date=11 March 2024 |website=www.ghanaweb.com}} As he played internationally for the Ghanaian football team, he holds German citizenship too.

Addo started his career in 1991 in Hamburg,{{Cite web |title=Otto Addo - Soccer Player - Hamburg |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/soccer/player.php?ID=3 |access-date=11 March 2024 |website=www.ghanaweb.com}} playing for Hamburger SV. In 1993, he left Bramfelder SV after playing there for a year to join fellow Hamburg side VfL 93 Hamburg in 1993 where he played 80 league matches and scored 4 goals from 1993 to 1996.{{Cite web|title=Otto Addo|url=https://www.kicker.de/otto-addo/laufbahn/2-bundesliga/1998-99/hannover-96 |access-date=14 May 2021|website=Kicker}}

Addo moved to Hannover 96 in the Regionalliga Nord (third German league) in 1996. He made a big impression in a squad that featured stars-to-be Gerald Asamoah and Fabian Ernst. That team ripped through the season scoring more than 100 goals but succumbed to Energie Cottbus in the 1997 promotion playoffs.

In 1998, Hannover finally was promoted to the 2. Bundesliga. In his first season, he scored seven goals in 30 games{{Cite web |title=Otto Addo - Soccer Player - Hamburg |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/soccer/player.php?ID=3 |access-date=11 March 2024 |website=www.ghanaweb.com}} and was acknowledged as one of the elite players of the league.{{Cite web|title=Einst "junge Wilde" bei 96, heute Vaterfiguren: Warum im Pokalfinale ein wenig Hannover steckte|url=https://www.sportbuzzer.de/artikel/dfb-pokal-finale-rb-leipzig-bvb-otto-addo-babacar-ndiaye-hannover-96/|access-date=14 May 2021|website=Sportbuzzer.de|language=de}}

Addo was transferred to Borussia Dortmund in 1999 and played more than 75 times for the team, becoming Bundesliga champion in 2002. However, he was also hampered by great injury troubles, as he tore his cruciate ligaments three times in this time, the first coming after a German Cup match against SC Freiburg on 15 July 2001. The player had an MRI scan which showed he had torn knee ligaments and underwent surgery on his right knee on 22 July at the Vail, Colorado, clinic of world-renowned knee specialist surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman.{{cite news | date= 16 July 2001 | url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=16659 | title=Injury KO for Otto Addo | publisher=Ghanaweb | access-date= 16 July 2001}} He healed completely and came back to play the 2002 UEFA Cup Final for Dortmund against Feyenoord Rotterdam on 8 May 2002, which Dortmund lost 3–2{{cite news | date=8 May 2002 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/uefa_cup/1973191.stm | title=Feyenoord seal Uefa Cup win | publisher=BBC | access-date= 8 May 2002}} at the Feijenoord Stadion in Rotterdam. On 7 September 2002, Addo tore right knee ligaments for the second time, in a 2004 African Cup of Nations qualifier versus Uganda{{cite web | title = Uganda Shock Ghana | work=GhanaWeb | date=30 November 2001 | url = http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=27164 | access-date = 7 February 2008}} in Kampala.{{cite news | date= 9 September 2002 | url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=27202 | title=Otto Addo out for rest of year | publisher=Ghanaweb | access-date=9 September 2002}}

On 24 September 2003, Addo's career was under threat after he re-injured his troublesome right knee for the third time in Dortmund's 2–1 UEFA Cup victory over Austria Wien.{{cite news | date=30 September 2003 | url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=43887 | title=Otto Addo's Injury Not Career Threatening | publisher=Ghanaweb | access-date= 30 September 2003}} He started the match, but was replaced after just 38 minutes.{{cite news | date= 25 September 2003 | url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=43592 | title=Addo's career under threat after injury | publisher=Ghanaweb | access-date= 25 September 2003}}

After sitting out the whole of 2004, Addo returned to action as a substitute in Dortmund's 1–1 league home draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach in the last weekend of January 2005.

At the beginning of the 2005–06 season he transferred{{cite news|date=10 February 2006 |url=http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=14989 |title=Otto Addo: Hamburg born and bred! |publisher=HSV |access-date=10 February 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928040823/http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=14989 |archive-date=28 September 2007 }} to 1. FSV Mainz 05, for whom he did not make an initial impact. However, he played well enough to earn a nomination for the Ghanaian squad who appeared at the 2006 World Cup.

On 9 August 2007, Addo signed a three-year contract with hometown Hamburger SV,{{cite news |date=9 August 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6938949.stm |title=Hamburg in shock Addo swoop |publisher=BBC |access-date=9 August 2007}} initially alternating with the reserves and the first team. While at Hamburg, Addo revealed his Hamburger SV goals in an interview with HSVLIVE,{{cite news |date=27 July 2007 |url=http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=20662 |title=Es ist eine große Ehre für mich |publisher=HSV |access-date=27 July 2007 |language=de |url-status= dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818000603/http://www.hsv.de/index.php?id=20662 |archive-date=18 August 2007 }} also addressing other topics. In 2008, he announced his retirement from playing football at the age of 33.{{Cite web |last=Gyimah |first=Edmund Okai |date=18 July 2013 |title=Otto Addo appointed as Hamburg Under-19 coach |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4389/ghanaian-football/2013/07/18/4125820/otto-addo-appointed-as-hamburg-under-19-coach |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=Goal.com}}{{Cite web |last=Appiah |first=Samuel Ekow Amoasi |date=6 April 2021 |title=2006 World Cup star Otto Addo reveals the path to his coaching career at Borussia Dortmund |url=https://www.modernghana.com/sports/1072868/2006-world-cup-star-otto-addo-reveals-the-path.html |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=Modern Ghana}}

File: Czech_Republic_versus_Ghana_at_2006_World_Cup_Otto_Addo_cropped.jpg

Although born in Germany, Addo played for the Ghana national team for seven years commencing 1999,{{cite news | date= 18 June 2006 | url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=106040 | title=Otto Addo living the dream with Ghana | publisher=Ghanaweb | access-date= 18 June 2006}} his debut{{cite news | date= 1 March 1999 | url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=5390 | title=Black Stars rout Eritrea 5–0 | publisher=Ghanaweb| access-date= 23 September 2015}} being a 5–0 rout of Eritrea on 28 February 1999, and he achieved international prominence when he led the nation in the 2000 African Cup of Nations. He started for Ghana as right midfielder in the 2006 FIFA World Cup game against the Czech Republic on 17 June 2006 at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, which Ghana won 2–0. In 2006 he played in Ghana's 2–1 win over the United States at the Frankenstadion in Nuremberg.

Addo was strong in one-on-one situations, physical, creative, and versatile enough to play on both wings, on the inside and also in the central position,{{cite web |title=Addo, Otto |url=http://www.worldfootballers.com/player.php/otto--addo-356.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610140323/http://www.worldfootballers.com/player.php/otto--addo-356.html |archive-date=10 June 2008 |access-date=7 February 2008 |publisher=worldfootballers.com }} although his main skill was his ability to dribble the ball.

Addo started his coaching career with his former club Hamburger SV in 2009, in the process serving as a youth team coach and an assistant manager till 2015.{{Cite web |last=Teye |first=Prince Narkortu |date=5 April 2021 |title=Otto Addo: Former Ghana star and Borussia Dortmund assistant coach opens up on future |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/otto-addo-former-ghana-star-and-borussia-dortmund-assistant/jh4j1p9uta4c1c0o5yfeoh4ia |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=Goal.com}} In December 2013, Addo was appointed as the head scout of the Ghana national football team and prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2015 Africa Cup of Nations,{{cite web|url=http://sports.peacefmonline.com/pages/soccer/201312/183016.php|title=Hamburg Coach Otto Addo To Join Ghana Coaching Staff At 2014 World Cup|work=sports.peacefmonline.com|date=16 December 2013|access-date=24 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225123336/http://sports.peacefmonline.com/pages/soccer/201312/183016.php|archive-date=25 December 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4389/ghana/2013/12/16/4482814/otoo-addo-to-join-ghana-bench-at-2014-world-cup |title= Otoo Addo to join Ghana bench at 2014 World Cup|work=Goal.com|date=16 December 2013|access-date =24 December 2013 | first = Kent | last = Mensah}} succeeding Ibrahim Tanko following the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanasoccernet.com/tanko-ibrahim-recommends-otto-addo-for-ghana-scouting-job-ahead-of-world-cup/ |title= Tanko Ibrahim recommends Otto Addo for Ghana scouting job ahead of World Cup|work=ghanasoccernet.com|date=9 December 2013|access-date = 24 December 2013}}

In April 2019, it was announced that Addo would work for former club Borussia Dortmund as a 'talent coach', having previously held a similar role at Borussia Mönchengladbach{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47987337|title=Borussia Dortmund welcome Ghana's Addo to coaching staff|date=19 April 2019| website = BBC Sport | access-date = 23 April 2019}} since 2017. In December 2020, he was promoted to serve as first team assistant coach to Edin Terzić who had been promoted to interim head coach, following the sacking of head coach Lucien Favre.{{Cite web |last=Appia h|first=Samuel Ekow Amoasi |date=14 December 2020 |title=Ex-Ghana international Otto Addo named assistant coach at Borussia Dortmund |url=https://www.modernghana.com/sports/1049685/ex-ghana-international-otto-addo-named-assistant.html |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=Modern Ghana}}{{Cite web |date=14 December 2020 |title=Ghana's Otto Addo named assistant coach at Borussia Dortmund |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Ghana-s-Otto-Addo-named-assistant-coach-at-Borussia-Dortmund-1132727 |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=Ghana Web}}

He won his first trophy as a coach after Dortmund defeated RB Leipzig in the finals of the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal.{{Cite web|last=Mumin|first=Lukman Abdul|date=14 May 2021|title=Ghanaian manager Otto Addo wins first trophy as coach at Borussia Dortmund|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/ghanaian-manager-otto-addo-wins-first-trophy-as-coach-at-borussia-dortmund |access-date=17 May 2021|website=GhanaSoccernet|language=en}} Following the assignment of Terzić as technical director and appointment of Marco Rose as the new head coach, Addo resumed his work as a talent coach.

On 25 September 2021, the Ghana Football Association announced that they had appointed Addo as one of two deputies for the new Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac.{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/ghana-appoint-borussia-dortmund-assistant-coach-addo-as-new/8c78dw8ppiu51gyvunk9uzezx |title=Ghana appoint Borussia Dortmund assistant coach Addo as new Black Stars deputy trainer |last=Teye |first=Prince Narkortu |date=24 September 2021 |access-date=25 September 2021 |website=goal.com |language=}} On 9 February 2022, the Ghana Football Association announced that they had appointed Addo as the interim coach for the Ghana national football team ahead of the team's 2022 FIFA World Cup final play-off matches against Nigeria.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=9 February 2022|title=Chris Hughton appointed as Technical Advisor to new Black Stars Technical team|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/chris-hughton-appointed-as-technical-advisor-to-new-black-stars-technical-team|access-date=10 February 2022|website=Ghana Football Association|language=}} On 29 March 2022, he qualified Ghana (on away goals) to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, after drawing 1–1 against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The Black Stars of Ghana had earlier drawn 0–0 against the Super Eagles on 25 March.{{Cite web |title=Nigeria vs Ghana match highlights: Black Stars qualify for Qatar 2022 with Thomas Partey goal |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/sport-60917628 |website=BBC Sport |date=29 March 2022 }}

In May 2022, Addo was appointed as the head coach until the end of December 2022 alongside maintaining Chris Hughton as technical advisor and George Boateng and Mas-Ud Didi Dramani as assistant coaches, the same set-up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup final play-off matches against Nigeria.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=25 May 2022 |title=GFA reposes confidence in Black Stars Technical team: Otto Addo set to take Ghana to Qatar 2022 World Cup |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/gfa-reposes-confidence-in-black-stars-technical-team-otto-addo-set-to-take-ghana-to-qatar-2022-world-cup |access-date=13 January 2023 |website=Ghana Football Association |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mabuka |first=Dennis |date=25 May 2022 |title=Ghana FA retains Otto Addo to take charge of Black Stars until December |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/ghana-fa-retains-otto-addo-to-take-charge-of-black-stars-until-december/blta3980aa804cb42a0 |access-date=13 February 2023 |website=Goal}} Addo won his first match as manager on 1 June after leading Ghana to a 3–0 victory over Madagascar in a 2023 AFCON qualifiers.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=1 June 2022 |title=Ghana begin AFCON 2023 qualifiers with impressive win against Madagascar |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/ghana-begin-afcon-2023-qualifiers-with-impressive-home-win-madagascar |access-date=13 January 2023 |website=Ghana Football Association}}

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament, Ghana went on to lose their first match against Portugal by 3–2, however they won their second group game against South Korea by 3–2. Addo became the first Ghanaian to play for and coach the Ghana national team at the FIFA World Cup.{{Cite web |date=31 March 2022 |title=Otto Addo becomes first Ghanaian footballer to qualify for the World Cup both as a player and a coach |url=http://ghanasoccernet.com/otto-addo-becomes-first-ghanaian-footballer-to-qualify-for-the-world-cup-both-as-a-player-and-a-coach |access-date=5 December 2022 |website=GhanaSoccernet |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=29 November 2022 |title=World Cup 2022: Otto Addo sets record after Ghana beat South Korea in Qatar |url=http://ghanasoccernet.com/world-cup-2022-otto-addo-sets-record-after-ghana-beat-south-korea-in-qatar |access-date=5 December 2022 |website=GhanaSoccernet |language=en}} That victory also made Addo the first Ghanaian coach to win a match at the FIFA World Cup.{{Cite web |last=Zurek |first=Kweku |date=29 November 2022 |title=Otto Addo becomes first Ghanaian to win a World Cup match as head coach |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/otto-addo-becomes-first-ghanaian-to-win-a-world-cup-match-as-head-coach.html |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=Graphic Online}} Five days later, Ghana lost to Uruguay and were eliminated from the tournament at the group stages.{{Cite web |date=2 December 2022 |title=Uruguay go out of World Cup 2022 despite 2-0 win over Ghana – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2022/dec/02/ghana-v-uruguay-world-cup-2022-live-score-updates |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} Prior to the start of the World Cup, Addo had hinted that he would be leaving after the world cup regardless of the outcome.{{Cite web |last=Omotto |first=Joel |date=18 October 2022 |title=Otto Addo: Black Stars coach hints he could leave Ghana after World Cup |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/otto-addo-black-stars-coach-hints-he-could-leave-ghana-after-world-cup/blt3a0a36620b990a8d |access-date=3 December 2022 |website=Goal}} Following their last group match, Addo resigned as the head coach of Ghana and would focus on his other role as a talent coach at Borussia Dortmund.{{Cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/ich-mag-meine-rolle-in-dortmund-addo-nicht-mehr-trainer-ghanas-928094/artikel |title="Ich mag meine Rolle in Dortmund": Addo nicht mehr Trainer Ghanas |website=Kicker |language=de |date=2 December 2022 }}{{Cite web |last=Garrick |first=Omar |date=2 December 2022 |title=Addo to step down as Ghana coach after elimination |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3962216/2022/12/02/otto-addo-ghana-world-cup-manager/ |access-date=6 December 2022 |website=The Athletic |language=}} Addo revealed the decision to leave the post as the head coach of Ghana Black star indicating the decision was not only in his hand.

On 15 March 2024, he was reappointed as head coach of the Ghana national football team{{Cite web |last=Appiah |first=Frank |date=15 March 2024 |title=Otto Addo reappointed as Black Stars coach {{!}} 3News |url=https://3news.com/sports/football/otto-addo-re-appointed-as-black-stars-head-coach/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=3news.com |language=en-US}} and Joseph Laumann, John Painstil, and Fatawu Dauda as assistant coaches to support the team's technical setup.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Reymond Awusei |date=17 March 2024 |title=Coach Otto Addo names backroom staff |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/coach-otto-addo-names-backroom-staff/x8x7qn7 |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=Pulse Ghana |language=en}} He temporarily took charge of the March international window for the games against Nigeria and Uganda on 22 and 26 March 2024, respectively at the Stade de Marrakech{{Cite web |date=16 March 2024 |title=Black Stars: Otto Addo names five debutants for March friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/black-stars-otto-addo-names-five-debutants-for-march-friendlies-against-nigeria-and-uganda/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}} in Morocco before taking over permanently in May 2024.{{Cite web |date=18 March 2024 |title=Why Otto Addo was reappointed as Black Stars coach - Search committe member explains |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Why-Otto-Addo-was-reappointed-as-Black-Stars-coach-Search-committe-member-explains-1921930 |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}} Addo led the Black Stars to victory against Mali by 2–1 on 6 June 2024, making the victory the first away win since 2022.{{cite web | url = https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/2026-World-Cup-Qualifiers-Ghana-move-to-2nd-in-Group-I-after-hard-fought-win-over-Mali-1934559 | title = 026 World Cup Qualifiers: Ghana move to 2nd in Group I after hard fought win over Mali | website = GhanaWeb | date = 7 June 2024 | access-date = 21 August 2024}} He again led the Black Stars to victory against Central African Republic by 4–3 on 10 June 2024.{{Cite news |last=GhanaSoccernet |date=10 June 2024 |title=Ghana 4-3 Central African Republic - Black Stars player ratings from 2026 World Cup qualifier |url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/ghana-4-3-central-african-republic-black-stars-player-ratings-from-2026-world-cup-qualifier}}

In September 2024, Addo was involved in a car crash along with John Paintsil and Fatau Dauda after their vehicle was damaged as it avoided a head-on collision with a pick-up truck that veered into their lane. The Ghana Football Association issued a statement shortly after the incident confirming that all three individuals were in stable condition.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9wje7240ldo|title=Ghana coaches stable after car crash |date=2 September 2024}}

{{Updated|match played 31 May 2025}}

Borussia Dortmund

• Bundesliga: 2001–02{{Cite web|title=Otto Addo Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/5a90e8df/Otto-Addo|access-date=14 May 2021|website=FBref.com|language=en}}
• UEFA Cup runner-up: 2001–02{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
• DFB-Ligapokal runner-up: 2003{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Soccerway|270941}}
• {{Kicker|otto-addo}}
• {{FBref|5a90e8df/Otto-Addo}}
• [https://www.bvb.de/eng/Teams/First-Team/Otto-Addo Otto Addo] on Borussia Dortmund website

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{{Ghana squad 2000 African Cup of Nations}}

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Category:1975 births

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