I’ve unfinished job at Hearts — Duncan
Former Hearts of Oak head coach, David Duncan, insists he may return to the club as he has an unfinished business to complete with the Phobians. But the 50-year-old was quick to add that that would depend on the dynamics at the club.
“Coming back to the club will depend on the circumstances, but I believe I have an unfinished business at Hearts ,” he told a press a conference organised by Concerned Supporters of Hearts in Accra last Thursday.
‘’In 2005, I was close to taking charge at the club, but it didn’t materialise. And last year I was appointed to take over from C.K Akunnor and just as things were taking shape I was booted out”, Duncan stated.
The former Black Starlets trainer was axed by the board of directors of Hearts last month following series of disagreements just a year after he had been engaged.
“I came to the club with a vision because I knew what the loyal fans were expecting. Hearts is a big club and expectations have always been high from the teeming supporters’’, Duncan noted.
He denied ever exchanging words with the club’s board chairman, Togbe Afede XIV, during meetings.
Duncan revealed that even though he did not always do as he was told by the board chairman, he never made any disrespectful gesture towards Togbe Afede XIV.
“In all our deliberations and meetings, there had never been a time when we exchanged words. When I find that he is getting worked up, I keep quiet and that is my strategy for resolving issues.
"There were times he would tell me to do something. I would say nothing at the time, but if I do not have the conviction, I would not do it. If you are telling me to do something and I don’t believe in it, trust me I will not do it, but I will not exchange words. So that was what I did and no one can accuse me of being disrespectful towards the board chairman.”
Duncan also noted that he was asked by the board chairman not to use Mahatma Otoo for a game against Wa All Stars in Wa last season because of the player’s refusal to renew his contract, but after consulting board member Dr. Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, he decided to use the player, adding that he had to apologise to Togbe Afede for his action.
“There was an issue over the extension of Mahatma Otoo’s contract. In fact, I inherited it. When we were going to play Wa All Stars in Wa last season, I was told to drop Mahatma Otoo because he had refused to renew his contract with the club. I found that difficult because he was the club captain and he was in excellent shape. So how do I drop such a player and risk losing the match?
"So I consulted Dr Nyaho Tamakloe and he told me to go ahead to use Otoo and he would know what to tell the board chairman. I thought the matter would end there, but so many problems occurred because I used Otoo. Even though I thought I had shown some respect by consulting Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe, I had to apologise to the board chairman for using Otoo for that game.”
Duncan also debunked reports that he was asked to use striker Gilbert Fiamenyo at one time and he refused to do so.
“No, I have never at any time been told to use Fiamenyo and I can say that assertively”, he stated.
Duncan stated that he had nothing else to apologise for, adding that he still didn’t know why his appointment with the club was terminated.
“My presence at this press conference is to bid the club farewell. I have no regrets whatsoever for being part of this great family. I will like to thank the fans for their support. The situation I have found myself is unprecedented when a coach gets the sack but the fans still agitate for his reinstatement’’.
The Concerned Supporters of Hearts, led by Maxwell Asabere, presented a Plasma TV to Duncan in appreciation for his work with the club; a gesture that moved the coach to tears
• Courtesy: Ghanaweb with additional files by Graphic Sports Desk
