Hearts of Oak have parted ways with coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi. The statement issued by the club on Monday evening explains that the coach gave the club two options after he expressed a wish to attend a coaching course in India.

“The club wish to assure all supporters and the general public that appropriate plans have been put in place for a replacement and an official announcement would be made in the coming days,” a statement signed by Hackman Aidoo, the club’s Administrative Manager, said.

Hearts are two points off top-of-the-table side Wa All Stars.

Kenichi, per the club, had said he will be away for five games. But the club have decided that it will be "too risky to leave the club without a head coach for the length of time and the number of matches (5) that [the coach] will be away".

Yatsuhashi has been in charge of the Phobains from the beginning of this season and leaves them fourth after 15 matches with 26 points .

Hearts of Oak say that a replacement will be named in coming days, Yatsuhashi made Hearts formidable on the road, and they are undefeated away - the only side in the league with that stat.

The coach was getting the side ready, since the league went on a three-week break, to resume an onslaught to win the team's first trophy since 2009. He had stated the side's readiness to face Dreams FC this weekend.

The statement is as follows.

PORTUGUESE REPLACEMENT?

Just a few days ago, Hearts announced Sergio Traguil as the new head of youth for the club. 

Many watchers predicted that the Portuguese gaffer was brought in to replace, something the club's management have denied. The latest rebuff came on Monday through Vincent Sowah Odotei.

"When you look at the premier league, it's better the technique and tactical awareness of players is developed at an early age," the Chairman of the Strategy Committee told Nhyira FM earlier on Monday.

"We at Hearts of Oak think the reason why our standard of play has fallen is because we lacked that quality because of the death of colts football.

"We believe in investing in the game, any player that will graduate from Royal Oaks and Auroras must have the right training hence the appointment of Sergio."

Traguil , the club say, will be in charge of the Royal Oaks, which is the club's U-17 team as well as Auroras, the U-20 side.

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