Former Black Stars international, Samuel Osei Kuffour has been appointed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as Executive Board Chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
By his new designation, the Asantehene has literally handed over the club to the former Bayern Munich defender with the sole aim of restructuring the entire club and forming his own team at both management and board levels.
Manhyia sources told the Graphic Sports after last Saturday’s closed-door meeting with the Asantehene that Kuffour, fondly called Sammy Tugah, was to “scout for indigenous, well-placed human resources, as well as football experts wherever to turn the fortunes of the club around”.
Kuffour is expected to report back to Manhyia after naming his team for Asantehene’s approbation.
For now, no time limit has been given to the once Champions League winner, but the Asantehene expects him to act with despatch.
Already, some key ‘football people’ are said to have been pencilled down by Kuffour to form his team.
The squad, which includes an unnamed German coach, also has Nana Boakye of Nana Boakye Herbal fame, FIFA General Coordinator for matches and a former Black Stars teammate of Kuffour, Anthony Baffoe; Vice-President of the Royal Bank and a former management member of Kotoko, Dr Kwame Baah-Nuakoh, as well as two broadcast journalists, Owusu Bempah and Christopher Opoku, one of whom is to be considered for the spokesperson’s position.
The list, though not confirmed, rules out the possible inclusion of former Real Tamale United coach, Mohammed Gargo, who until recently was rumoured to assist Coach David Duncan.
However, it is also not clear whether the man who initiated the call for change, Dr Kweku Frimpong of Champion Divine Clinic fame, would be part of the team.
Dr Frimpong confirmed he had already engaged the services of a Danish scout, Thomas Moller Nielson, as the club’s new technical director at US$5,000 a month.
He has personally promised to foot that bill but as it stands now no one knows whether that personal contract with the coach still holds.
But critical to the entire drama and permutation is the role of head coach David Duncan, who has just served a season out of this two-year contract.
If the rumour is anything to go by, then Kuffour and his team would be compelled to pay off Duncan with possible penalties, while mobilising extra funds to settle the outstanding bills of the ex-coach of the club, Didi Dramani.
Until Kuffour takes full charge of the club, the current CEO, Samuel Opoku Nti, and his team will continue to work towards revamping the club ahead of the 2015/16 league season.
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