Queiroz defends results-driven football ahead of AFCON qualifiers

Black Star head coach, Carlos Queiroz has defended his approach to football, saying winning remains the most important measure of success as he prepares his team for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Addressing the media on September 21st, ahead of the qualifying campaign, the veteran coach dismissed suggestions that football managers should be judged primarily on their style of play, insisting that results ultimately determine how teams and coaches are remembered.

Queiroz argued that coaches rarely lose their positions because of tactical philosophies but rather because they fail to deliver victories.

“My style of football, and I think what most people appreciate, is the winning style,” he said. “Tell me one coach in the world that lost his job because of his style. Coaches lose their jobs because they don’t win.”

The former Real Madrid, Portugal and Iran coach maintained that success often shapes public perception of football philosophies, with winning teams frequently praised regardless of their tactical approach.

“Winning makes the style. Winning makes the fashion. That’s the law of the game for more than 100 years,” he stated.

Queiroz said every coach dreams of having complete control of matches through possession, but acknowledged that football’s competitive nature makes such dominance impossible.

He explained that while teams aim to keep the ball and create scoring opportunities, opponents are equally determined to impose themselves on games.

“I wish I could start every single game with the ball and never give it away during the 90 minutes. But football doesn’t work like that,” he said.

The experienced manager noted that some of the world’s leading clubs have gradually adjusted their methods despite being known for specific football identities. According to him, successful teams evolve over time while maintaining their core principles.

He also challenged the perception that defending is a negative tactic, stressing that his teams are trained to fight collectively to regain possession whenever they lose the ball.

“When we have the ball, we attack and try to score. When we don’t have it, we fight to get it back,” Queiroz said. “People call it defending, but I call it fighting for the ball so we can attack again.”

The coach emphasised that football is about responding to different situations during matches and finding the best way to secure positive results.

Looking back on his 47-year coaching career, Queiroz said his philosophy has remained unchanged despite developments in the modern game.

“Every single game I play to win,” he said. “After 47 years, my style of winning is what keeps me in the job.”

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