Hearts sack Samuel Boadu
Ghana Premier League side Accra Hearts of Oak have sacked coach Samuel Boadu after a disappointing start to 2022/23 season.
Boadu, 36, and his backroom staff; assistant coach Hamza Obeng and goalkeepers trainer, Eric Amponsah, have all been directed to stay away from the team's training grounds with immediate effect.
In the interim, the coach of Hearts Under 20 team, Samuel Nii Noi will be assisted by Benjamin Mensah to take charge of the team until a substantive head coach is appointed.
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Reasons
In a statement, the club said "there is the need for a new direction and the energy to ensure its broader objectives are achieved and it feels the time for that new direction is now".
"The Board and management will like to thank Samuel Boadu and his assistants for their contribution to our history and the memories - which will always remain with us. The club will like to wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours", the statement added.
"In the interim, the coach of the U20-Samuel Nii Noi who will be assisted by Benjamin Mensah will take charge of the team until a substantive head coach is appointed.
"We wish to assure all fans that, the club is taking all the necessary steps including assistance from our CVCA partners in this effort at restructuring the technical team".
Boadu's Hearts reign
Boadu was appointed Hearts coach in March 2021 on a three-and-a-half year deal following the exit of Serbian Kosta Papic.
The young tactician was prised away from Medeama SC with a lucrative monthly salary reported to be in the region of $2,500 and a GH₵70,000 enticement fee.
During his time with the Phobians, he found success both on and off the pitch, winning five trophies in less than two years.
He won the 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League, the FA Cup twice (2021, 2021), the Ghana Super Cup and the President's Cup. He also found love, marrying Felicia Apimpanta in August 2021.
However, he found it much tougher in Hearts first CAF inter-club campaign since 2015.
His side suffered a crushing 6-2 aggregate defeat to Wydad AC in the CAF Champions League and a 4-2 aggregate loss to JS Saoura in the Confederation Cup in 2021.
In his second GPL season, his side also lost the league title to rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko and finished in a disappointing sixth place.
Replacements
Among the early frontrunners for Boadu's job are former Kotoko coach Prosper Narteh Ogum who is without a club after leaving the Porcupine Warriors and 55-year-old Dutchman Erik van der Meer.
Poor form
His fate appeared to have been sealed by a disappointing start to the season with the Phobians winless after three games - one loss and two draws.
Boadu also had one win in his last eight GPL matches, recording one win, three draws and four defeats. His team also scored five goals and conceded 14 goals during that run.