Asante Kotoko legend, Frimpong Manso, believes the pressure at the club was too much for players signed from Second Division and Division One clubs to handle.

The Porcupine Warriors struggled to grind out results throughout the season and ultimately finished sixth in the Ghana Premier League table, 12 points behind eventual champions Samartex.

Asante Kotoko have since released over 20 players and signed eleven more so far ahead of the new season.

Speaking about the performances of his former club last season, Manso said the environment was not conducive for Kotoko to win.

“Last season, they had a new crop of players, mostly from Division 2, some from Division 1, but at Kotoko, you know, they always want to win," he told Joy Sports.

“There's a lot of pressure coaching Kotoko has, and then there are a couple of other clubs. So it was clear those boys, at some point, couldn't handle the pressure, so they were finding it difficult to play.

“And then the old ones, I think, also had issues with Prosper. I think he also came out and said they were politicians, and at the end of the season, he let go of a lot of them.

“So the situation was just not conducive for a team to succeed... Now they want to start again.”

Asante Kotoko started preseason this week and are intensely preparing for the upcoming season, with their first game being an away trip to Karela United in the first week of September.