2026-09-28 Ghana Premier League
Erik Tinkler leaves Asante Kotoko
Eric Tinkler is out at Asante Kotoko. The club confirmed he asked to leave at once, the board agreed, and the official line was personal reasons. Talks had already happened. Kotoko tried to keep him. He would not stay.
The appointment was only two months old. Tinkler was presented on 17 July 2026 as the South African who had worked at Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City and Sekhukhune United, taking his first job outside his own country. The club framed it as a reset: structure, discipline, a coach used to bigger stages. He talked about waking a sleeping giant. The chairman talked about winning the league.
For a short stretch it looked possible. Kotoko won the Democracy Cup, beating Hearts of Oak on penalties. The league start was mixed rather than fatal: a draw, a win against Heart of Lions, another draw. Then Aduana came to Baba Yara, spent part of the match a man down, and still won 2-0. It was Tinkler’s first league defeat in Kumasi. Hours later he was gone.
Four league games. One win, two draws, one loss. Five points. Nowhere near the title talk of July. That record will be treated as the verdict even though the club’s statement did not pin the exit on results. It pinned it on Tinkler’s own request and a line about professionalism, commitment and focus. Director of Football Stanley Purl Menzo is now holding the technical side while Kotoko looks for the next coach.
Rumours already point back to South Africa and an opening at Durban City. None of that is confirmed. What is confirmed is how brief the Ghana chapter was: two months, one cup, an early league slip, and a late-night statement.
Kotoko play Karela United on Thursday. Tinkler’s first job abroad ended the way many of them do — quickly, with the two words that close the file and open the next one: personal reaso