Hearts of Oak, the winners of the 2004 CAF Confederation Cup, have decided to part ways with their head coach, Martin Koopman, due to the team’s disappointing string of results.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, the Accra-based club announced that assistant manager Abdul Rahim Bashir will assume temporary charge of the first team.
Koopman was appointed as the manager of Hearts in August, but unfortunately was unable to make the desired impact on the team’s performances and outcomes.
Throughout this season’s Ghana Premier League, the Phobians have only managed to secure victory in two matches and have scored a mere six goals in ten outings. Furthermore, under Koopman’s leadership, the team has failed to secure a win in their last three league matches, with each one ending in a draw.
“Accra Hearts of Oak has mutually parted ways with Coach Martinus Koopman,” a club statement shared on social media said. “This decision forms part of the club’s grand aim of restructuring the technical team as we continue with the 2023-24 football season.” It added: “In the interim, current assistant Coach, Abdul Rahim Bashir has been mandated to take charge as the acting head coach until further notice. “The Hearts of Oak Management is therefore using this opportunity to thank Coach Koopman for his services whilst at the club and wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
Martin Koopman is a Dutch former defender who played for Go Ahead Eagles, FC Twente, and Cambuur Leeuwarden. He could also play as a midfielder. After 2 years as a youth coach and then 8 as an assistant coach (1989–1999), he became a football manager in 1999.
