Dutch coach Rene Hiddink has declined talks with Hearts of Oak after FIFA ordered the Ghanaian giants to pay him $150,000 for the unlawful termination of his contract.
Hiddink joined the Phobians on a three-year deal in 2023, but his tenure lasted only eight months before the club terminated his contract. Hearts failed to settle the outstanding wages, prompting the coach to seek redress at FIFA.
The world football governing body ruled in his favour, directing Hearts of Oak to pay the full sum while also imposing a transfer ban on the Accra-based club.
In the aftermath of the ruling, Hearts reportedly reached out to Hiddink’s camp in a bid to negotiate a settlement. However, his legal representative, David Winnie, revealed that the Dutchman is no longer interested in any form of negotiation.
“Togbe Afede and the head of finance at Hearts of Oak contacted my client, Rene Hiddink, yesterday to try and reach some form of settlement agreement following FIFA’s decision to award Rene the payment of the rest of his contract. However, Rene declined this,” Winnie told Akoma FM.
He further disclosed that attempts were made nearly a year ago to resolve the matter amicably, but Hearts ignored all approaches.
“Almost a year ago, we approached the club to reach an agreement that would allow Rene to walk away, but they refused to respond to emails or telephone calls. Now that FIFA has delivered its decision, Rene is no longer interested in any settlement that delays the process. The only thing Rene is interested in now is being paid the remaining sum as ordered by FIFA.”
Meanwhile, Hearts of Oak are intensifying preparations for the upcoming season. The Phobians finished second in the GHALCA Top 4 tournament and are scheduled to face Great Olympics in the Democracy Cup next month.
