After a slow start to the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League, Hearts of Oak have confirmed a change in the technical direction of the club with the appointment of Kosta Papic as head coach.
The Serb, 60, joins the Phonbians – who have picked a point from two games in the GPL – for a second stint.
His first was during the 2008/09 season.
Coach Kosta Papic returns home.
Welcome!!!
🔴🟡🔵#AHOSC #AccraIsOurs#PositiveEnergy#AHOSC pic.twitter.com/I0Gs0zviu1— Phobians (@HeartsOfOakGH) December 1, 2020
Papic took charge of a Hearts team that had finished 7th the previous season and transformed them into title contenders. He was, however, sacked after 23 games in the then Glo Premier League.
Hearts finished the first round leading the league log with 35 points. But their season began to take a downward turn as they won twice in between three straight drawn games and a subsequent three defeats to AshantiGold, arch-rivals Asante Kotoko and a 9-man King Faisal in Kumasi on match-day 23.
This saw Hearts of Oak’s 14-point lead at the start of the second round cut down to five by second-placed Heart of Lions.
Displeased by the dwindling fortunes, the hierarchy of Hearts decided to sack Papic upon the team’s return to Accra on June 18, 2009. He left the club amassing 44 points – 13 wins, 5 draws and defeats respectively.
Hearts went on to maintain their lead at the top and eventually won the league with 52 points – three above arch-rivals Asante Kotoko who settled for second spot. That league title triumph – on July 19, 2009 – has been the last for the Phobians.
A club statement on the return of Kosta Papic says he is taking charge of Hearts for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.
Edward Nii Odoom, who was holding the position since last year, has been relegated to take charge of the club’s youth side Auroras and will work as one of two assistant coaches alongside Joseph Asare Bediako.
Kosta Papic is expected to take charge of the club’s next GPL game, a match-day four fixture against Karela United at Accra Sports Stadium on Friday evening.
