Asante Kotoko head coach Mariano Barreto Jeronimo, according to information picking has decided to end his marriage with the Porcupines when the season ends by mutual agreement.
The Portuguese joined the Porcupines on March 26, 2021, on a renewable one-and-a-half contract and has decided not to continue as head coach of the Porcupines after just four months into his contract.
Barreto has been under serious pressure after the Reds’ 1-0 defeat to bitterest rivals Hearts of Oak a fortnight ago. Many have blamed the loss on the 64-year-old’s ‘bad selection’ on the day which accounted for the defeat as it dealt a significant setback to Kotoko’s prospects of winning the league title.
Before that game, Barreto in his post-match interview after the club’s win against Karela United in Obuasi stated emphatically that he was at the bench on the day because of his players after expressing his disappointment to whom we don’t know and vowed to explain to fans after the season ends.
“I am too much disappointed, if not for my players, I wouldn’t have been at the bench. I came to this match for a reason and when I finish the league, I will tell Kotoko fans why. This is not the time to tell this, for now, my focus is to help these boys because nobody can imagine how worried they are. I came here to help them [players] to win because Kotoko fans are fantastic, not the fans who sit on Facebook to write rather those who come here [stadium] to help us, cry for us, singing for us and this is what motivates me everyday to come and work”
It has been clear after these comments he has not found it easy working at the club as he has reportedly been unhappy with the way he and his players have been treated since his arrival and also trying to find answers to unexpected problems on the pitch in recent games.
Already, assistant coach and video analyst who came with Barreto, Miguel Bruno returned to his native Portugal in April to sort out pressing family issues as reported in the local media but failed return to continue his contract. He penned a one-and-a-half.
Kotoko has two games remaining in their 2020/21 Ghana Premier League season.
Bechem United will host the record Ghana Premier League winners at Bechem Park – a game Barreto will miss due to his two-game ban by the FA before finishing the season with a home game against Elmina Sharks.
After 32 matches, Hearts of Oak top the league table with 60 points, while Kotoko are in second place with 57 points.
Mariano Barreto was employed just before the second half of the season began, to replace Maxwell Konadu, who was fired in December 2020 after only five games.
