The coach, who resigned from his post as the head coach of the Phobians three days ago, has been announced as the new Technical Manager of the South African side.

The club took to their Twitter page to confirm the deal and shared an artwork to welcome him.

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Coach Papic left the continental club masters alleging that management members interfered in his work and players were not playing well because they were sabotaging him.

The Serbian trainer resigned from his role as the head coach of the Ghana Premier League side on Monday.

Fans of the club in a press conference at the club’s secretariat registered their displeasure over how the club was being run by the Board.

However, the Board also held a press conference to address the recent happenings in the club.

Dr Tamakloe, who is a Board Member of the club, speaking to the press, denied these claims and dared coach Papic to back his claims with proof.

“I dare that coach to come out and repeat himself because we have what he said on tape,” he said angrily.

“Some of us are not kids. Let him repeat if Odotei or Akambi have influence in any decision he takes.

”I don’t have time for such nonsense, we’ve seen coaches before,” he added.

Dr Tamakloe also cautioned fans to be wary of being misled by disgruntled individuals around the club.

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“Nobody United this club better than me. I have held various positions around the club,” he said.

“I know what is happening now is just a passing phase. Individuals cannot appoint board members.

“It is the responsibility of the majority shareholder to appoint the board members.

“Ive dealt with Hearts of Oak supporters for over 40 years, and I know they are being misled.

“They need to be careful because these are the politics that go on in this club sometimes, where disgruntled people mislead the fan base,” he said.

Hearts of Oak will take on Ebusua Dwarfs in their next Ghana Premier League game at the Accra Sports Stadium, looking for their first win in five games.

U-15 coach, Samuel Nii Noi, has been named as the head coach of the club.

Adomonline.com on Monday confirmed that coach Papic had tendered in his resignation letter due to ‘unhappiness’ after just three months in charge.

The Serbian trainer returned to the club in November 2020 to replace Edward Nii Odoom.

In a statement issued today, February 16, 2021, Hearts of Oak said that they have accepted resignation letters from both coach Papic and Mr Owu.

According to the club, coach Papic resigned due to ‘personal reasons’ and not because of clashes with management as widely reported.

“Accra Hearts of Oak SC has parted company with head coach Kostadin Papic and goalkeepers’ trainer Ben Owu.

“Both members of the technical team tendered in their resignations on February 15, 2021,” parts of the statement read.

The club also expressed appreciation to the two coaches for their service to the club.

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“The club would like to thank Papic and Ben for their time at Hearts of Oak and wish them success in their future,” the club said.

The exit of the two brings to three the number of coaches who have left the club in less than a week.

Last week, assistant coach Asare Bediako also resigned. The club initially denied the report only for Mr Papic to confirm it in an interview.

Meanwhile, Nii Noi has been named as the interim gaffer.

Below is the statement from Hearts of Oak:

Coach Papic confirmed his departure on Monday, February 15, 2021, after taking charge of 10 matches.

The Serbian trainer made a bright start after replacing Edward Nii Odoom. He was tipped to end the club’s 11 years trophy drought.

But after going four matches without a win, coach Papic’s tactics were questioned.

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”The influence from the management and board in player selection will make every professional coach uncomfortable at Hearts of Oak,” Coach Papic is reported to have told Accra-based Angel FM.

He took charge of the Phobians in November 2020, and guided them to 10 matches in the Ghanaian Premier League where he won four, drew three and lost three.

He has been offered a more lucrative offer with a Tanzanian club and is quitting Hearts of Oak to take that job.

The club has, however, confirmed that the U-15 coach, Samuel Nii Noi, would take charge in the interim until a new head coach is appointed.

The Ghana Premier League side is on a mission to end the team’s 11 years trophy drought in the ongoing Ghana Premier League season.

Ahead of the local transfer window that is scheduled to open on February 13, the Serbian trainer, in an interview on Nhyira FM, said he requested for the services of Barcelona and Argentine legend Lionel Messi and Juventus ace Cristiano Ronaldo but could not afford to sign any of them.

“Whichever player I want that is not the issue. I want Messi, but unfortunately, he is not available and I tried Ronaldo and he told me he cannot come.

“Let’s not joke about it, try to understand what is going on. If the player is free and is fitting to the style, fitting the level of the club, in that case, we are going to sign him but if we don’t find that kind of player, we are going to continue with the available players,” he concluded.

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The Phobians have gone three matches without a win.

According to Papic, despite failing to sign Messi and Ronaldo, the team will still sign players to beef up the squad when the transfer window is activated.

“We’re looking to strengthen the Hearts of Oak team in the transfer window. We’ll receive the scouting reports tomorrow for the list of potential players we could buy,” he said.

“We need to strengthen the defense, midfield and striking zones during the transfer window but it’s all about the availability of the players I want,” he added.

Hearts of Oak currently sit 9th with 17 points and will host Ebusua Dwarfs in the matchday 14 games at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Phobians has won four of their last six games and are unbeaten in their last four matches since the Serbian trainer was appointed.

Their latest win was against Techiman Eleven Wonders at the Accra Sports Stadium in the matchday 9 game.

“For my opinion, we are progressing. Not creating so many chances like I am expecting but we are progressing on the playing style,” he said after the game.

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“When our players from injury come back, we will have strong competition and that will make the team even much stronger and we will perform better.

“At least three points for us is very important till we catch those who are up. It’s very important for us at this crucial moment and I am very happy that we got it.”

Hearts are sitting on the 4th position with 15 points and will travel to Berekum to play Chelsea in the matchday 1o games.

The Phobians were hoping to maintain their perfect run of the season but were held to a 1-1 draw against Elmina Sharks at the Ndoum Sports Complex on Sunday.

The stalemate leaves Hearts of Oak at the 5th position with 12 points after eight matches played.

“No, not good enough. But you know that five players, who are key on the pitch, today were not completely in the game. It’s very difficult to win the match (this way),” he said after the game.

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“They are still missing that killing instinct. They are missing that.

“But I said it’s going to happen, and it has happened. One day we play fantastic and another day we are like this.

“When we are consistent to play the football we want, that case we can discuss properly (the title),” he concluded.

Hearts of Oak will next play Eleven Wonders in their next game on Friday in the matchday 9 games.

The Phobians secured their first of the ongoing campaign with Michelle Sarpong scoring a brace before Obeng Junior cementing the win at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Papic who is handling the club for the second time after coming in to replace Edward Odoom as Head Coach, however, believes the players are getting back their confidence.

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“We are struggling to organize ourselves the way that I want. But at least we got the 3 points which is very important that things are coming right and the players are getting the confidence,” he said after the game.

“They are leading 2-0 and they start shaking which is (because) they don’t have that winning mentality yet. But we’re working on it,” he added.

Hearts Of Oak will travel to Kumasi to face King Faisal on Saturday.

The Phobians have failed to win the country’s top competition after winning it during the 2008/09 campaign under Papic.

The club confirmed the re-appointment of the Serbian coach on Monday after he was spotted at the Accra Sports Stadium in Hearts’ 1-0 defeat to Inter Allies last week.

The 60-year-old replaces stop-gap coach, Edward Nii Odoom, who has been tasked to take over the youth side of the club.

Under coach Odoom, the team has failed to win a game in the new Ghana Premier League campaign after two games.

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“Accra Hearts of Oak have not won the league in the past 11 years. It’s time for Hearts to win the trophy,” Coach Papic said.

“They have a target of winning the trophy. That is good for me also, for the players who are currently in the squad, officials of the team and to the supporters as well.

“I will do my best to succeed on that, with time we will see, I’m here for them,” he added.

Papic will be in the dugout for the first time when they host Karela United at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Serbian trainer was spotted at the Accra Sports Stadium in the club’s 1-0 defeat to Inter Allies together with Board Member, Vincent Sowah Odotei.

Edward Nii Odoom, who has been with the club on an interim basis following the exit of Kim Grant last season was hoping to guide the club to end their 11 years trophyless jinx.

However, he has been axed from his position.

Odoom led the club in their 2-2 stalemate against Ashgold at the Accra Sports Stadium after their matchday 1 game against Aduana Stars was rescheduled by the Ghana Football Association due to Covid-19 related issues.

The 60-year-old was handed the job on Monday following a meeting between the club’s Board Chairman and majority shareholder, Togbe Afede XIV, and another director of the club, Vincent Sowah Odotei, however, details of his contract were not readily available.

Coach Papic returns to the club 11 years after leading them to the 2008/09 Ghana Premier League title during his one-year stint with the club. Incidentally, it was the last time Hearts won the Ghana’s elite league.

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He will be assisted by Asare Bediako, a former Berekum Chelsea coach who was appointed assistant coach in November.

Papic has previously managed Young Africans of Tanzania, South African sides Black Leopards, Chippa United, Polokwane City and Royal Eagles.

He was appointed national coach of eSwatini (formerly known as Swaziland) in December 2018 and left the role in December 2019.

His first assignment will be to lead the Phobians against league leaders Karela United in matchday four of the Ghana Premier League on Friday.

The Phobians are occupying the bottom of the Premier League table with 1 point.