Slavko Matic: Hearts of Oak appoint Serbian as permanent head coach replacement for Samuel Boadu
Hearts of Oak have appointed Serbian trainer Slavko Matic as the club’s new head coach for the next two years. The Ghana Premier League side had been on intense search for a permanent coach after firing former boss Samuel Boadu following draw against rivals Asante Kotoko in September.
Ghanaian elite coaches C.K Akonnor, Annor Walker, Dr. Porsper Narteh Ogum and Samuel were thought to be on the list of potential candidates for the job.
There were also reports linking the FA Cup champions to Spanish, Croatian and Serbian coaches but the Ghanaian side have appointed Serbian International Slavko Matic. Matic was one of the few Serbian names linked with Hearts of Oak before his appointment coming as a replacement for Samuel Boadu who has received severe criticisms since Sunday’s game against AS Real Bamako in unprofessional conduct of waving fans from the dugout.
Boadu impersonated as the club’s coach against the Malian side and went to the dressing to give pep talk before the clash.
Matic is understood to arrived in Ghana days before Hearts’ game against AS Real Bamako and his permanent appointment on Wednesday. The 46-year Serbian has signed an initial two-year contract with an option to extend at the end of the contract in a technical head role following the sacking of Samuel Boadu last month.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the Executive Chairman of Hearts, Togbe Afede XIV, described the Serbian tactician as a coach with a desire to win trophies for the club.
He explained that coach Matic understood the demands of a great club such as Hearts and was ready to meet them.
“Coach Matic was a player himself who derives his motivation from that and was very thrilled to work with us.
“He knows what we expect from him as a club and he is ready to meet the demands,” Togbe Afede XIV said.
“Every coach we appoint knows that failure to win the league, as well as our ambitions in Africa are things we take seriously as a club”.
Coach Matic will be assisted by the interim trainer, David Dickson Ocloo.
Hearts will hope to bounce back to winning ways when the Ghanaian top flight resumes after exiting the CAF Confederation Cup via a 1-3 aggregate loss to Malian side, Real Bamako.
Samuel Boadu’s return dent
Hearts of Oak were considering the re-appointment of Samuel Boadu who won two 2 FA Cup title and a prestigious Ghana Premier League trophy after beating Asante Kotoko in last minute two seasons ago.
However, the emerging Ghanaian tactician dent his chances after storming Hearts’ touchline to wave fans ahead of kickoff against Real Bamako last Sunday. Boadu was also carried on shoulders of supports after the game and his actions have since been criticised.
Pundits, former players, fans and football officials have condemned Samuel Boadu and have even questioned his chances to lead Hearts of Oak and any of the national teams in the future.
Hearts’ hierarchy has also not been happy with the former boss’ actions and stood against his chances of returning though the club had advanced with the appointment of Slavko Matic.
On Wednesday evening, Hearts finally announced the Serbian International as their new head coach.
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