Hearts of Oak will not beg any player to stay, says Aboubakar Ouattara

Hearts of Oak head coach, Aboubakar Ouattara, has insisted that no player would be begged to stay at the club ahead of next season.

Several players are pushing to leave the club according to several reports with the club preparing to part ways with 17 players.

The Ivorian trainer speaking to the press on Thursday said the doors are always open to players who desire to depart the club as he looks to build a long-term project at the Ghana Premier League side.

“Hearts of Oak is bigger than any player,” said the gaffer.

“If my wife said she doesn’t like me anymore, I’ll open the door for her.”

Ouattara also emphasised the need for a project that would go a long way to ensure success for the side in the future.

“Hearts of Oak was created in 1911. It took almost 90 years to win the Champions League,” he continued.

“Do you want to wait that long again for success? Our project is not just to win the league tomorrow; we want to be at the top.”

The 2020/21 league champions finished in the bottom half of last season. After losing the inaugural edition of the Democracy Cup to Asante Kotoko, Hearts will have an opportunity for silverware when they face Heart of Lions in the Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Charity Cup.

Hearts of Oak have so far signed goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, Samuel Amofa and former Nations FC duo Asamoah Boateng Afriyie and Michael Awuah Mensah as they hope to improve their performance ahead of the upcoming 2024/25 Ghana Premier League season.