Neil Armstrong wanted for Hearts' CEO job

No, it's not Neil Armstrong the late astronaut. Hearts of Oak are in the market for a new chief executive and the club's board chairman has suggested consultant Neil Armstrong-Mortagbe.

The news will come as no surprise to Hearts insiders, who have always had to contend with the former Ghalca executive anytime candidates of CEOs come up.


Having filled several positions in the Hearts structure over the years, Mortagbe has also worked for Fifa as a facilitator and instructor. Togbe Afede XIV said at the metting that he would like to tap into Mortagbe's decade-plus experience in marketing and management consulting.


A source told supersport.com: "The board chairman feels Neil's knowledge of the principles of club management, finance, planning and communication will come in handy for the direction in which the club wants to head."


Earlier this month, Togbe Afede XIV spoke pointedly of the new need of the club to get a full time person to be the CEO. The Phobians are without a substantive CEO following the decision of Fred Crentsil not to extend his stay after his two year contract expired in September.

The club is currently being steered by an ad hoc management team, led by Afede as executive chairman. He had said in an interview two weeks ago: "Let me emphasize the important need for us to change course in terms of the former concept of a CEO of Accra Hearts of Oak. I personally I am uncomfortable with a CEO who cannot be a full time servant of the Oak tree."


"I don’t see how a CEO can devote full time to our club if he is not on salary, I don’t see how it works. We want a change of direction, we want a professional manager who will devote 100 percent of his time to Accra Hearts of Oak."


Having succeeded in making David Duncan replace C.K Akunnor in the dugout, the club seeks to improve its on-field form in tandem with the managerial restructuring. Hearts are aiming to break into the top four spot for the first time since the season began.


Armstrong-Mortagbe himself is currently in charge of operations at Optimum Media Prime, owners of Ghana Premier League broadcaster, Metro TV.