Asante Kotoko appoint Eric Tinkler as their new head coach
Asante Kotoko Sporting Club has appointed Eric Tinkler as the club’s new Head Coach with immediate effect.
The Portuguese-South African tactician joins the Porcupine Warriors with an impressive résumé that includes extensive top-flight experience and a distinguished career at the highest levels of African and global football.
Tinkler holds a CAF A Licence and brings more than 30 years of elite football experience. He arrives at Kotoko after successful coaching spells with several of South Africa’s leading clubs, including Cape Town City, SuperSport United, Maritzburg United, Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits.
During his time in the PSL, he guided Orlando Pirates to the CAF Champions League final and SuperSport United to the CAF Confederation Cup final. Domestically, he has lifted MTN 8 titles and the Telkom Knockout.
As a player, Tinkler earned 48 caps for South Africa and captained the national team at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations. He was part of the Bafana Bafana side that won the 1996 AFCON and also represented the country at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. His club career took him to Europe, where he featured for Barnsley in England, Cagliari in Italy and Vitória de Setúbal in Portugal.
Known for his tactical organisation, structured approach and ability to develop players, Tinkler will work closely with the club’s Director of Football, Stanley Menzo Purl, as Kotoko builds a competitive structure aimed at sustained success both domestically and on the continent.
Board Chairman James Osei Brown expressed delight at the appointment, saying: “Eric brings a wealth of experience, discipline and winning pedigree to our technical bench. His track record of developing players and delivering results at the highest level in African football makes him the right man to lead our team at this important time. We warmly welcome him to the Fabulous family and look forward to the success ahead.”
Commenting on his new role, Tinkler said: “I am honoured and excited to join one of Africa’s most storied football institutions. Asante Kotoko’s rich history, passion for success and ambition for development are well known across Africa. I look forward to working with the players, staff and management to build a team that can compete and win, both at home and on the continental stage. I feel proud to be associated with this great club.