Akunnor becomes Premier League's first coaching casualty with Hearts' sack

By Ameenu Shardow

Hearts of Oak chairman Togbe Afede XIV has confirmed the sacking of coach CK Akunnor was to appease enraged supporters of the club.

Several calls were made for the dismissal of the ex Ghana captain following Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Berekum Chelsea – the third defeat in the row for the Phobians.

Hearts had made possibly their worst start to the Premier League season – picking just four points out of a possible fifteen and are currently just a place above the relegation zone.

The declining fortunes of the team saw Akunnor emerge the first coaching casualty of the season as he was fired on Wednesday night following an emergency meeting of the Board.

The former Sekondi XI Wise coach’s managerial credentials had been brought to great doubt following reports of bickering and infighting within the technical team and playing body.

However, it was Akunnor’s failure to win over the ever expectant fans of the former African champions that catalyzed his fall on Wednesday as confirmed by the Board chairman.

“The Board met yesterday to deliberate on the current state of affairs in the club, specifically the performance of the team in the ongoing Premier League,” Togbe Afede XIV told Kumasi-based Angel FM.

“Mindful of the frustration we all as supporters and management are feeling and of course very much concerned about the frustration that the supporters in particular have been going through.

“The Board noted that the performance of the team is very much below expectations especially taking into consideration the colossal amount of money that was spent in the pre-season to give the team the good players it required.

“We are also mindful that the problems cannot be blamed on the coach alone but as the head of the technical team, the buck stops with him.

“The Board was made aware of the alleged lack of unity at the technical front and sometimes leading to blows amongst members of the technical team so we felt the need for a change in technical direction so the team can live up to its promise.

“We thought that the decision is consistent with the desires of the masses of our followers and indeed we want to listen to them, listen to their concerns.

“So it is the first step towards addressing the downfall and reversing the fortunes of Accra Hearts of Oak much sooner than later.”

It however remains to be seen whether the domino effect of Akunnor’s dismissal will be felt on Sunday when Hearts hosts struggling Real Tamale United.