Sacking Papic: the inside story

As always I wanted confirmation before spilling the beans, though I hinted at it earlier.

Hearts of Oak have, indeed, sacked Kosta Papic.

Apparently, the league leaders reached the decision on Thursday afternoon against the backdrop of the poor run of form in the second round of the league.

Hearts have won one out of their 8 matches, drawn 4 and lost 3.

Sam Johnson might take charge of that game although he is notoriously mistrusted - his tactics, that is - by much of the Phobian hierarchy.

The PRO of team said on radio that the sacking was mainly because the Serbian had taken certain 'entrenched positions' on issues.

"Hearts have not been happy with the coach's performance so we met yesterday and agreed to part company with him.

He didn't take our advice on certain issues. You have to consider that we, the Board and management know the terrain better than he ever can so his entrenched positions cost him."

It's the same thing we heard when Kotoko sacked Maurice Cooreman - that the man had left 'by mutual consent'. Later we heard he had been given the old-fashioned boot.

Hearts have said that the team did not incur any extra cost in the termination process: coach Papic would be provided with his June salary and a ticket for his return to Serbia.

Hearts has a game on Sunday against RTU so who takes charge for that game?

Commey again: "The management is in talks with other coaches to ensure that a new coach is hired before the club’s next league game."

What I'm gathering is that assistant coach, Sam Johnson might take charge of that game although he is notoriously mistrusted - his tactics, that is - by much of the Phobian hierarchy.

It is a well known fact that Papic had, before the season started, pressurized the Phobian management of Hearts to buy certain players but he had refused to use them in the course of the season.

And it has been confirmed by Commey that this 'naturally annoyed some members of the management.'

S0 who replaces Papic? Nii Noi Thompson, who led Bechem Chelsea to a fine start this season is the name on several big lips.

Let's see how that pans out. We'll talk about Papic's legacy later.

Fact file: Papic @ Hearts

*Serbian, 49-years

*Signed by former Hearts CEO Vincent Odotei Sowah

*Lasted eleven months from July 2008 - June 2009.

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Papic sacked?

I was in the studios of Tv3 this afternoon when I heard that the Glo Premier League leaders Hearts of Oak have dismissed Kosta Papic.

And I didn't give it much thought because I was watching the Brazil - USA game.

But it is now registering. Kosta Papic. Sacked. For?

Apparently the three losses in a row is enough for the bosses to have given the Serbian the boot.

Details as they come.

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'When we beat Kotoko, give us the Cup!

Accra Hearts of Oak are cruising at the moment. They are on top with a healthy nine point lead.

But the cherry on the cake would come only if the team can beat Kotoko in the El Classico - Ghana's version, that is.

The game which comes off on June 14 is the highlight of the Glo Premier League. And in anticipation coach Kosta Papic has gone on to say that his team should be handed the trophy if they can beat the reds of Kotoko.

"The season is almost over. We have only nine games to the end of the season.

So for me if Hearts wins against Kotoko we would have 47 points and I don't think anyone can do better.

That's why I want the title to be handed over to us."

Papic has built a solid Hearts team that has had crisp passing and a strong midfield at the heart of its play. He joined them at the start of this season.

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