Hearts of Oak captain Gladson Awako has attributed the club's challenging 2022/23 campaign to the frequent changes in coaches throughout the season.
The team began the season under the guidance of Samuel Boadu but experienced a shift when Serbian trainer Slavko Matic took over in October 2022. However, in March 2023, due to dissatisfaction among fans, Matic's tenure was cut short, and David Ocloo assumed the role until the season's conclusion.
Finishing the season in 12th position with 46 points, Hearts of Oak struggled in their last five matches, recording four losses and a draw against Berekum.
Awako believes that the constant changes in the coaching staff negatively impacted the team's performance during the season. Each coach brought different philosophies that required time for players to adapt, ultimately affecting their overall performance.
“Too many changes in coaching impacted negatively on our performance last season. We started with Samuel Boadu, then later Matic who didn't last long, followed by David Ocloo. All these coaches had different philosophies which warranted time for players to adapt and this affected our performance” he told Akoma FM.
Under Matic's guidance, the team was showing signs of improvement, but his departure disrupted the progress, and despite Ocloo's best efforts, the pressure proved too overwhelming.
According to Awako, coaches need time to implement their strategies and achieve results, and the series of changes, coupled with injuries, hindered the team's performance.
“We were improving under Matic, it was just unfortunate that he left, David Ocloo tried his best but because the pressure was too much it couldn't work”
He expressed regret over the departure of Slavko Matic, acknowledging the positive impact he had on the team as they rose from the 12th to the 3rd position during his time in charge.
“Yes, the departure of Slavko Matic really affected us and it didn't help at all. Before Matic we were at the 12th position but we moved to the 3rd position with him in charge and now see where we ended the season”
“Coaches needs time, you can't appoint them and expect magic or instant results, so I feel the changes at the technical side and injuries affected our performance”
The subsequent changes, however, led to a decline in the team's performance, resulting in their final position at the end of the season.
