Arguments for and against Coach Duncan

Coach David Duncan

The management of Kotoko is yet to make a definite statement on whether or not, former Olympics, Ashgold and Hearts trainer, David Duncan will be the club’s next coach. But even before that definitive pronouncement is made, it’s an open secret that, David Duncan could be Kotoko’s technical handler. Opinions have been divided over his possible appointment.

There are a good number of Kotoko fans who want David Duncan as replacement for Coach Mas-ud Didi Dramani. In the same vein, there is a sizeable group of supporters who strongly disagree with management’s intent. Interviewing some of these fans, the feeling I get is that, they are both resolute in their respective positions. What is interesting is that, they agree on one thing, which is Coach David Duncan’s much touted principled attitude.

They’re unanimous on Duncan’s no-nonsense character. The fans say if it’s about instilling discipline into Kotoko players, they share the view that, Coach David Duncan has the wherewithal to do it. They see him as an uncompromising disciplinarian, believing that, under Coach David Duncan, truant Kotoko players are likely to sit up, change their attitude towards training and matches and focus more on their career and ultimately help Kotoko’s course.

That’s a credit the supporters want to freely give to Coach David Duncan even before he arrives. The two groups of supporters however disagree when it comes to Coach David Duncan’s competence, achievements and whether or not, he can lead Kotoko to success.

It’s not as if Coach David Duncan’s competence is actually being doubted. The argument of the anti-Duncan supporters is that, he has not won any notable silverware with any club and on that score, he can’t lead Kotoko to achieve laurels either this season or beyond.

The pro-Duncan fans however contend that, as long he has a strong temperament, he will be capable of coaching Kotoko successfully. They cite the fact that, two of the previous clubs Duncan coached – Olympics and Ashgold – doesn’t or didn’t have the clout Kotoko have. As a result, that affected his delivery in terms of winning a silverware. At Hearts of Oak, Duncan’s admirers within Kotoko further argue that, he wasn’t given enough time to work.

The anti-Duncan supporters come in once again with the issue that, he is a coach who previously made derogatory remarks about Kotoko including the allegation that, Kotoko paid bribes to win matches. They say he also questioned why coaches who have had stints with Kotoko were always earning national team appointments at the expense of others who haven’t coaching jobs. This upset Kotoko fans to the extent that, some dragged the coach to the ethics committee of the Ghana Football Association.

For that reason, these supporters don’t want Duncan to be appointed as Kotoko’s next coach. The other group of supporters quickly jump to Duncan’s defence, saying that, the coach should be forgiven. More so he has reportedly said that, his supposed disparaging remarks were part of mind games preceding his clashes with Kotoko and should therefore not be taken seriously.

Where do you stand? What’s your take? What is your judgment? What do you make of the arguments put forward by the two groups of supporters? I will tell you mine. I think it’s fair for questions to be asked about Duncan’s remarks but questions relative to his competence are baseless. When Coach Bashir Hayford was appointed in the 2007/2008 season, he hadn’t won any league title yet he won the league that season.

The same as Coach Mas-ud Didi Dramani in the 2012/13 season. On that premise, Duncan has to be given the chance but he has to justify his remarks or apologize unreservedly for some of his remarks. Added to that, something more has to be done if Duncan will be successful at Kotoko.

The coach should be made aware of the all challenges the club is facing now. We shouldn’t assume everything is right. We must state the administrative deficits at Kotoko and lay bare the possible hiccups he could face as Kotoko coach after which a conduit should be created through which any differences or difficulties he encounter would be resolved.

Again, Coach Duncan must, within a short time, know his technical team, their competences and weakness and appreciate that, drastic changes to whatever he finds out at Kotoko will be unhelpful at this time. David Duncan must understand that, managing Kotoko differs from managing any other club in Ghana. If he comes with that understanding and gets the right support, his stay at the club could be fruitful.