Accra Hearts of Oak have turned their attention to Bosnian coach Nebojsa Kapor as the man to help restore the club's lost glory ahead of the upcoming Ghana Premier League season.
Kapor's appointment follows that of arch-rivals Asante Kotoko, who recently named former South African international, Eric Tinkler, as their head coach in a bid to revive the fortunes of the Porcupine Warriors after a disappointing league campaign last season.
With both of Ghana's biggest clubs now opting for expatriate coaches, Kapor is expected to lead Hearts of Oak for the next two years.
The Phobians officially announced Kapor as their new head coach last Saturday, replacing Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, who was relieved of his duties at the end of last season despite guiding the club to a third-place finish in the Ghana Premier League.
According to the club, Kapor's appointment marks the first step in a broader restructuring of the technical team ahead of the new season. Reports have also linked former Black Stars goalkeepers' trainer Richard Kingston with a role at the club.
The 44-year-old coach is no stranger to Ghanaian football, having previously managed Tema Youth, Bechem United and Medeama SC.
However, the expectations and pressure that come with leading Hearts of Oak are on a different level compared to his previous appointments.
Kapor has been handed the enormous responsibility of turning the club's fortunes around, with one of his key objectives being to "restore the club to domestic and continental prominence," according to a statement issued by Hearts of Oak.
The club further described him as a coach whose "tactical expertise, deep understanding of Ghanaian football and progressive coaching philosophy have distinguished him throughout his career."
Interestingly, the name Nebojsa is already familiar to Hearts supporters.
The club previously appointed the late Serbian coach Nebojsa Vucicevic, who was in charge between 2011 and 2012 before being dismissed following a series of disappointing results.
Kapor's coaching record in Ghana can best be described as mixed. While he has experienced both successes and setbacks, he demonstrated his coaching credentials by winning the NASCO Coach of the Month award during his time with Medeama SC about a year ago.
Hearts supporters will now hope Kapor can replicate that success on a much bigger stage as the club seeks to reclaim its place among Ghana's football elite and make a strong return to continental competition.
