Mick McDermott returns to Rhode Island as part of Ghana's World Cup staff

Mick McDermott, the Belfast-born coach, has joined Ghana's backroom staff for the 2022 World Cup, returning to Rhode Island where his football journey began. He is part of Carlos Queiroz's team, serving as a performance co-ordinator for the Black Stars.

McDermott, 52, has had a diverse coaching career spanning 30 years, taking him from the US to the Middle East, back to Northern Ireland, and now to another World Cup. He previously worked with Queiroz at Iran's 2018 World Cup campaign and has also coached at club level with Glentoran and Cobh Ramblers.

Ghana have based themselves in Providence, Rhode Island for the tournament, a location that holds personal significance for McDermott. He lived there for six years after moving to the US on a football scholarship, and it was where he met his wife, Karla.

A winding path to the World Cup

• McDermott began his coaching career at the University of Oregon after graduating as a school teacher.
• He first linked up with Carlos Queiroz in 2011 for the Iran national team job.
• He won the Irish Cup as manager of Glentoran in his homeland.
• McDermott also had a spell with League of Ireland side Cobh Ramblers before joining Ghana.
• This is his second World Cup after working as part of Iran's staff in 2018.

Looking ahead, McDermott and Queiroz will aim to guide Ghana past the group stage in a section that includes Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea. The Black Stars open their campaign against Portugal on November 24.