Experienced coach and coach educator Stuart McLaren

Experienced coach and coach educator Stuart McLaren has been appointed as the FIFA Talent Coach for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) under the global FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS). The two-year appointment takes immediate effect and is aimed at boosting Ghana’s long-term youth football strategy.

McLaren is one of the few FIFA-approved Talent Coaches available to member associations. A UEFA Pro Licensed Coach, he brings a wealth of international experience to the role, having worked in various capacities across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Australia, and Asia. His extensive background includes roles in elite academies, national youth teams, and coaching education.

He will work under the supervision of GFA Technical Director, Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, to help implement Ghana’s Talent Identification and Development Programme. The initiative is aligned with FIFA’s wider vision, led by Arsène Wenger, to strengthen global youth football systems.

As Talent Coach, McLaren’s responsibilities include observing local matches, supporting local coaches with long-term planning, identifying players that fit Ghana’s football DNA, and providing detailed performance evaluations to the GFA. He is also expected to assist in improving coaching standards and creating a high-performance environment for young talents.

Stuart McLaren’s coaching career includes stints with Stirling Albion FC, Celtic FC’s U-18s, Scotland’s U-16 and Women’s National Teams, and as assistant coach of Ireland’s Women’s Senior National Team. He has also served as a Coaching Education and Development Manager at the Scottish FA.

McLaren has already begun his work in Ghana, having visited the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram and the GFA Elite Academy in Winkogo, near Bolgatanga.

The FIFA Talent Development Scheme, which this appointment falls under, aims to provide young players worldwide with greater access to structured training, enhance talent identification processes, improve coach education, and create a lasting impact on player development across all member associations.