The supporters wing of Kumasi Asante Kotoko have called for the immediate signing of former Accra Hearts of Oak coach, David Duncan to help arrest the declining fortunes of the club.
Their appeal for a quick resolution to the club’s coaching vacancy seems to have created division within the Porcupine Warriors, after media reports last Monday had suggested that the Manhyia Palace had ordered the reinstatement of Mas-Ud Didi Dramani who was ordered by the club’s Board to proceed on a four-month leave.
The report, linked to a former management member, David Serebuor Boateng, has been denied by palace source who disclosed to the Graphic Sports that executives members of the National Circles Council, under the leadership of its Kweku (K5) Amponsah, who also doubles as a board member, held a meeting with Mr Kofi Badu, Chief of Staff at Manhyia, on the possible engagement of Coach Duncan.
The calls for Duncan’s engagement seem to be gathering momentum with three weeks for Kotoko to play their first continental match, and the supporters group’s executive want the club’s owner Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to give his blessings for the management to act fast to engage the coach.
The source at Manhyia affirmed that the Circles leadership at the meeting declared their unflinching support for the management headed by Opoku Nti in any decision that would move the club forward.
Kotoko’s Public Retentions Manager, Kweku Ahenkorah, confirmed to this paper that the supporters wing was ready to travel along with management.
Manhyia’s initial decision was to employ an interim coach to manage the club until issues relating to Coach Dramani’s leave saga were dealt with.
However, after last Monday’s meeting with the supporters, the palace reportedly found wisdom in suggestions by the supporters’ wing that employing a stand-in coach would be too costly for the club.
The Graphic Sports learned that Kotoko were expected to have sent a contract proposal to Coach Duncan yesterday for study with the hope that an agreement would be reached quickly.
Coach Duncan, who quit Accra Great Olympics recently, confirmed to the paper he was interested in taking over Kotoko but wanted all outstanding issues with Coach Dramani to be sorted out first.