Ouattara Moved to Hearts of Oak Advisory Board After Poor Campaign

Accra Hearts of Oak have announced a significant managerial reshuffle, confirming that Aboubakar Ouattara has stepped down from his position as head coach and will now serve as Special Advisor to the Board of Directors.

The Ivorian manager, who took over mid-season during the 2023/24 campaign, managed to steer the team away from relegation danger and eventually guided them to a top-four finish. Despite this recovery, the club concluded the season without any silverware, which fell short of expectations set by the board and supporters alike.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the club officially announced Ouattara’s reassignment:

“The Board of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club has reassigned Aboubakar Ouattara from the role of Head Coach to Special Advisor to the Board of Directors,” the statement read.

“The Board conveys its congratulations to Aboubakar Ouattara in his new role and looks forward to a good collaboration to move the club to new heights.”

As Special Advisor, Ouattara will work closely with the Board on high-level strategic projects and technical consultations aimed at enhancing the club’s long-term development.

The move comes amid broader changes at Hearts of Oak, as the club seeks to realign its vision and competitive ambitions following a season marked by inconsistency. Although Ouattara is credited with stabilizing the team during a turbulent campaign, club insiders say a fresh technical direction is needed to restore Hearts of Oak’s dominance in Ghanaian football.

Didi Dramani Appointed New Head Coach

Simultaneously, Hearts of Oak have confirmed the appointment of Mas-Ud Didi Dramani as the new head coach on a two-year contract. The experienced Ghanaian tactician, who previously managed rivals Asante Kotoko, returns to domestic club football with the task of rebuilding the Phobians into title contenders.

Dramani’s immediate responsibility will be preparing the squad for the upcoming 2025 President’s Cup, where Hearts will renew their rivalry with Kotoko on July 6, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium. The high-stakes fixture is expected to be his first major test, both tactically and symbolically.

The club’s leadership has expressed confidence in Dramani’s experience and strategic acumen, with hopes that his appointment will revitalize the team’s performance both locally and on the continental stage.

Transfer Ban Poses Early Challenge

However, Dramani’s tenure may be hampered by significant off-field complications. Hearts of Oak are currently under a transfer ban due to an unresolved $70,000 debt owed to New Edubiase United. The debt relates to the transfer of midfielder Salim Adams, and until the outstanding amount is settled, the club is prohibited from signing or registering new players.

With the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season set to kick off in September, the ban could pose a serious challenge to Dramani’s plans to strengthen the squad and implement his tactical blueprint.

Club sources indicate that discussions are ongoing to resolve the matter promptly, but the timing and outcome remain uncertain. For now, the coach will have to rely on the current roster, including youth and fringe players, as he prepares for the new season.

A New Era Begins

The dual developments signal a new chapter for Hearts of Oak. With Ouattara moving into an advisory capacity and Dramani taking over as head coach, the club appears to be focusing on both immediate performance improvements and longer-term structural reform.

Supporters will be watching closely as the club attempts to regain its footing in domestic competition while also navigating financial and administrative hurdles.

As Hearts of Oak look to rebuild under a new technical direction, the pressure is on both the board and coaching staff to deliver results—and restore the glory days to one of Ghana’s most storied football institutions.