I’m not angry with Kotoko

Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko Coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, says he has no ill-feeling against the club despite being shown the exit prematurely in February, six months before the expiration of his contract.

He described his two-year romance with Kotoko as the best thing that ever happened to his coaching career and hinted of his readiness to return to the club anytime an opportunity avails itself.

Dramani, who led Kotoko to win the Premier League twice on the trot in the last two seasons with an MTN FA Cup title to boot, was asked by the Opoku Nti-led management to proceed on 120 days accumulated leave after just seven games in the ongoing season due to poor results.

However, after almost two months hiatus, the man who led the Black Maidens to win bronze at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan in 2012, broke the loud silence in an interview with the Graphic Sports last Saturday, fully satisfied with the severance package offered by Kotoko.

“I’m happy with it (severance package). I’ve signed my part of the agreement and also handed over my handing over notes to President Kwesi Nyantakyi, who was the mediator between me and Kotoko. Everything is in line and I don’t have any ill-feeling against Kotoko,” the soft-spoken coach revealed.

“Kotoko gave me every platform every coach would need. The past and present management, players and supporters were very supportive and I’m very grateful to them all.

“I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to say a big thank you to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for giving me the opportunity to coach a big club like Kotoko. “It was a very useful experience for me as a coach. The two years have thought me a lot of things and also toughened me for any challenge,” Dramani said in a sober reflection.

He wished the club well and would not rule out the possibility of returning to Oseikrom again in future, citing Jose Mourinho’s surprise return to Chelsea after an acrimonious exit as a typical example.

According to Didi, though he used his own vehicle instead of the official car given him by Kotoko during his stint with the club, he handed over the keys to his official apartment after stock-taking on March 31.

Coach Dramani was evasive and would not comment on speculations linking him to Kotoko’s rivals, Hearts of Oak.

“I’m now resting, reflecting on the past and also spending some quality time with my family in Tamale. I don’t want to rush into anything now,” he stated.

He noted with regret that for the past six years he had not had the luxury of staying with his family due to his career.

He explained that though he was not actively involved in coaching now, he still works for CAF and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) as an instructor.

Despite all that, Coach Dramani had a message to declare: I’m ready for any club in Ghana and anywhere.

He was full of praise for veteran trainers such as Ben Koufie, Francis Oti-Akenten and his close pal, Herbert Addo for their unflinching support through the years.