Hearts Of Oak seek new coach

Ghanaian outfit Accra Hearts of Oak are on the hunt for a new coach

Ghanaian club side Accra Hearts of Oak are reportedly in the hunt for a new head coach after interim manager Abdul Karim Zito failed to impress the club hierarchy during his tenure.

The team has been without a permanent boss since last year's departure of Kostandinov Dodrev, who now handles Nigerian League side Heartland of Owerri.

Incidentally, the Romanian-born coach won the One Touch Premier league title for the capital outfit last season, but his contract was not renewed for reasons unspecified by the Ghanaian club.

Abdul Karim Zito, who was appointed as caretake coach, has not shown any sign that he will be able to guide the team towards retaining the trophy this season.

Hearts of, popularly referred to as "The Phobians", have been able to garner only four points from a possible twelve, and pressure is now mounting on the board to employ the services of a competent coach.

This need was fully expressed by the vice-chairman of the club side, Frank Nelson, during an interview with Ghanasoccernet.com "We need a competent coach and not necessarily a white man or a foreigner," he said. "We have spoken to six coaches both local and foreign," the vice chairman added.

He also refused to divulge the identities of those in contention for the position saying the coaches will not be favorably disposed to that act.

"At this moment we don't want to disclose any names because some coaches would not like their names to be mentioned when talks are still being held," he clarified.

"We can not give a fixed date for the new coach but I think a choice will be made before the league goes on break for the African Cup of Nations." Hearts of Oak will have to get their acts together as quickly as possible to avoid an early elimination from next year's CAF Champions League.