Eric Tinkler will instill discipline among Asante Kotoko players - Sarfo Duku

Former Asante Kotoko Communications Director Sarfo Duku has backed the club’s decision to appoint South African coach Eric Tinkler, insisting that an expatriate coach could help improve discipline and player management at the Porcupine Warriors.

Duku believes foreign coaches are often better positioned to enforce strict standards because they are less affected by personal relationships and cultural expectations that can sometimes make it difficult for local coaches to take firm decisions.

Speaking on Nhyira FM, Duku said he was impressed with the appointment of both the club’s new director of football and Tinkler, adding that he had previously advocated for an international figure to fill the key technical roles.

“So far I am impressed with the appointment of the director of football and the coach [Eric Tinkler]. I strongly advocated for the appointment of a foreign person to fill those gaps,” Duku said.

The former club administrator explained that Kotoko’s disciplinary challenges in recent times made it necessary to bring in someone capable of changing the mentality of the playing squad.

“In view of several disciplinary issues, I believed it was time for Kotoko to bring an expatriate for us to see if things would be done the same way,” he added.

“Things were not going well at a point between the technical team and the playing body, and I believed that we needed somebody who could change the attitude of the boys.”

Duku also pointed to familiarity between local coaches and players as one of the factors that can affect authority within teams.

“You can't rule out the issue of familiarity; you will not be surprised that local coaches have their boys, so it will be difficult,” he said.

He further criticised the recruitment approach of some clubs, arguing that allowing coaches to bring in players they have existing relationships with can create challenges in maintaining a competitive environment.

“Also, the way we do our recruitment, we allow them to bring their boys, and it's a fact nobody can deny,” he added.

Tinkler, who has taken charge of Asante Kotoko ahead of the 2026/27 season, will begin his Ghana Premier League campaign with a home fixture against newly promoted Debibi United as the Porcupine Warriors aim for a stronger showing after a difficult previous campaign.

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