The weight was too heavy – Samuel Boadu reflects on Hearts of Oak exit

Former Hearts of Oak head coach Samuel Boadu has opened up about his departure from the club, offering heartfelt insights into his relationship with Board Chairman Togbe Afede XIV and the circumstances that led to his exit.

Speaking on The BKB Show with Kankam Boadu, Boadu admitted that internal challenges within the club made his position untenable, leading to his decision to move on. However, he holds no bitterness about how things ended.

“No one can erase what I did for Hearts. I left with a smile because the weight was too heavy to carry. I made my peace with it,” he said. 

While some speculated that Boadu’s departure was due to poor performance, the coach firmly disagreed, highlighting his achievements at the club.

“I won the league, the FA Cup, and qualified the team for Africa despite all the challenges,” he stressed.

The former Premier League-winning coach described Togbe Afede as a father figure who supported him not just professionally, but personally as well.

“I often mentioned Togbe’s name after matches, and many didn’t understand why. He’s more like a father and brother to me. His guidance went beyond football — he advised me on personal matters, too. Togbe is a good man. If it were just him at Hearts, I would have stayed for 50 years,” Boadu revealed.

Samuel Boadu is regarded as the most successful Hearts of Oak coach in recent years, winning four titles in two years.