Hearts left stranded as coach Paul Aigbogun pulls out of deal

Accra Hearts of Oak’s search for a head coach ahead of the scheduled start to the 2016/17 GPL season hit a major snag yesterday after Nigerian coach - Paul Aigbogun - reportedly went back on his word to take over the vacant position with the club.

Reports from the club’s management over the weekend had the former Enyimba FC and Warri Wolves coach arriving in the country on Monday from London to start his tenure with the club after having agreed to terms with the club.

“Hello fellow Phobians, tomorrow at 7:30pm our new head coach would land at the kotoka airport. Let's all be there to give him a rousing welcome.” - Kwame Opare Addo

However, in a stunning turn of events late Monday, the club’s management had to inform an already disheartened fan base, unhappy with how long the search has dragged on that the new arrangements have fallen through.

A message purportedly released from the club’s Public Relation Officer – Mr. Kwame Opare Addo which we have not been able to independently verify read in part; “…, Hearts of Oak wishes to sincerely apologize to its teeming fans that the coach who was expected to arrive in Accra tonight to take up the coaching role at the club has failed to honor his word and would not come as anticipated. Management is looking at other available but suitable options. Once again we sincerely apologize and thank you all for your patience and support. Thank you all.”

Management’s quest to fill the vacant head coaching position job in the wake of the supposedly mutual departure of Japanese-American coach – Kenichi Yatsuhashi – in June of last year, the failed experiment with Sergio Tranguil as head coach and the interim appointment of then assistant -Yaw Preko – to the position has dragged on for almost 8 months.

As it stands now, assistant coach - Henry Wellington – who has been in charge of the team’s preseason preparations and was appointed in November of 2017 will likely be in charge on opening day and beyond.

The Phobians will open the season against Inter-Allies FC at the El Wak Sports Stadium on February 5th.