Asante Kotoko have announced they have terminated the contract of head coach Kjetil Zachariassen after just five months with the club. 

According to the club, the Norwegian, who was appointed in July, failed to meet his performance target. 

Assistant coach Johnson Smith takes over as interim manager. 

The club met with the Zachariassen for the first time since their shock CAF Confederation Cup exit to discuss his future and the technical direction of the team.

Zachariassen stayed back in Abidjan after their 2-0 defeat to FC San Pedro which ended their Confederation Cup campaign.

According to reports, he was told by Kotoko management that his safety in Ghana could not be guaranteed as a result of threats from aggrieved supporters.

He returned to the country this week and met with the club concerning his future.

At the meeting, the club informed Kjetil Zachariassen of their decision to terminate his contract and reward him a severance package of $5,000 but the former AshGold trainer declined the offer and insisted on his three months advance salary of $12,000.

Zachariassen was appointed to replace Charles Akonnor, who quit the club a few weeks after winning NC Special Cup tier 1.