By Kwame Bediako
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) have strengthened its technical department with the appointment of seasoned coach and educator Stuart McLaren as a FIFA Talent Coach under the global FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS). McLaren’s two-year tenure is part of FIFA’s initiative to establish high-performance youth football structures across member associations.
Ghana, known for its abundant football talent, stands to benefit immensely from McLaren’s world-class expertise. As one of a select group of FIFA-approved Talent Coaches, McLaren will work closely with GFA Technical Director Prof. Joseph Kwame Mintah to enhance talent identification and player development systems, aligning them with Ghana’s football identity and tactical culture.
McLaren’s responsibilities include scouting youth talent nationwide, collaborating with local coaches to develop long-term team-building strategies and providing actionable evaluations to inform policy and development decisions. The FIFA Talent Coach role is designed to help associations build elite youth academies, improve coaching methodologies and create pathways for promising players to reach the global stage.
Bringing a wealth of international experience, McLaren holds a UEFA Pro Licence and boasts a diverse career spanning Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Australia and Asia. His playing career included stints with clubs such as Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar and Stirling Albion, before transitioning into coaching roles with Scotland’s U-16 boys, Celtic FC U-18s, and the Irish women’s national team, among others.
Since commencing his role, McLaren has already visited key development centers including the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram and the GFA Elite Academy at Winkogo, Bolgatanga. His hands-on approach and commitment to understanding Ghana’s football landscape signal a promising future for the country’s youth football development under his guidance.
