Details: Why Prosper Narteh Ogum resigned as head coach of Asante Kotoko

Prosper Ogum Narteh signed for Asante Kotoko and was officially announced as the Porcupine Warriors’ new head coach on September 19, 2021. The gaffer joined on a 2-year contract from fellow Premier League side, West African Football Academy.

Less than two months to the first anniversary of his contract, the coach has tendered his resignation, having led the ‘Kum Apem Apem Be Ba’ boys to annex their record 24^th title.

Many expected the educationist cum coach to lead the Kumasi-based club on their campaign African campaign, having sealed qualification to the Caf Champions League by way of becoming the Ghana Premier League champions, but that is now a wish that is over and can’t be fulfilled by the coach who became a fan-favourite during his less than 12-month stint with the Ghanaian giants.

But what caused his resignation? Active Sports brings to you details from our sources.

According to our sources, there was a rift between the management of Asante Kotoko and Prosper Narteh Ogum due to a disagreement over player selection. Mr Ogum was questioned by management for handing starting roles to some players ahead of Brazilian import, Fábio Gama dos Santos.

A meeting was allegedly convened before match-day 27 of the just ended season and the purpose was to deliberate on sacking Prosper Narteh Ogum. The reason for the decision to sack him was because he failed to compromise on some of the decisions by management. However, the management feared the result partly because the coach was well accepted and loved by the fans and it was also likely to disrupt their campaign since they were leading the table and on course to win their 24^th league title.

According to our source, Prosper Narteh Ogum felt his authority as the head coach was undermined by the management who he believed was backing some players such as Stephen Amankona and Patrick Asmah after the duo were deemed to have exhibited gross misconduct by the coach and deserved to be punished.

Prosper Narteh Ogum disclosed to some close associates that the management of Asante Kotoko has been contemning him on some technical issues. For instance, the coach reportedly had no knowledge of the two-week trial of the trio, Mudasiru Salifu, Andrews Appau and Richard Boadu with the Moldovan club, Sheriff Tiraspol.

The coach told management to not approach players who are not on his wishlist and presented Samuel Osei Kuffour, Abdulai Iddrisu, Razak Abdul Yussif and Joseph Tetteh Zutah as those he was interested in. However, management turned down his request to acquire Medeama SC midfielder, Joseph Tetteh Zutah despite the coach insisting that the player was vital for the following season.

Having had much, Prosper Narteh Ogum informed the Board of the club during a meeting that he is not excited about the club’s transfer activity and the attitude of some management members.

When Prosper Narteh Ogum refused to compromise with the club’s transfer activity and decision to sell some key players, he was asked by a board member during the meeting, “Can you get us the $3 million budget for the 2022/23 season’s campaign if you insist some of the players shouldn’t be sold? If you can get us that money, they will stay”.

On his plans for next season, Prosper Narteh Ogum had 17 players on his wishlist. He told the club to offload 10 players. The club disagreed with him on recruiting 17 new players and offloading 10 players.

According to our source, Prosper Narteh Ogum verbally informed the Board during the meeting that he would not continue his duties as the head coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

Our sources also added that the coach has not been paid since March 2022 [Four Months salary and winning bonuses].

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