Maxwell Konadu was on Tuesday named as the interim Black Stars head coach until a new coach is appointed to succeed Avram Grant whose contract expired late last month.

Ghana Football Association (GFA) made public the decison to hire the ex-Black Stars forward after series of meetings by a six-member committee led by the body’s president Kwesi Nyantakyi which was set to look at the issue.

The 44-year old maiden task will be a daunting baptism of fire test when Ghana FA names an opponent for the next months FIFA free date for international friendlies.

In a statement released the Ghana FA on Tuesday,Konadu who acted in the same capacity in 2014 and led the team in two qualifiers to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and later deputized departed boss Avram Grant ,will be assisted by Professor Joseph Mintah,who will also continue in his role as the team psychologist.

Konadu is understood to have faced tough opposation from former France international Willy Sagnol, Bashiru Hayford,David Duncan and Karim Abdul Razak all who had submitted their CVs to the football association.

Search for Black Stars coach

The selection committee which is headed by GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi with other members of the committee including George Afriyie – chairman of the Black Stars management committee, Francis Oti Akenteng -Technical Director of the GFA, Opoku Nti – former Black Stars player and member of the Executive Committee, Alex Asante – Director of International Competitions – and a representative from the Ministry of Youth & Sports is expected to get its terms of reference and deadlines by the end of this week.

The committee tasked to search for the Black Stars was directed to use the headhunting and applications from interested coaches as the two methods to be used to recruit the new coach.

Coaches both local and foreign who are interested in coaching the Black Stars are invited to send their applications and supporting documents to the Committee. The committee was also mandated to target suitable and competent coaches for consideration even if they don’t apply for the post. The new Black Stars coach will also take charge of local Black Stars as the head coach of the home-based national team.