Ghanaian football club Kotoko has announced the immediate release of head coach Eric Tinkler from his contract, ending his two-month tenure with the team. The decision was made after Tinkler requested to leave for personal reasons, which the club's board of directors agreed to. This move comes after Kotoko's 2-0 home defeat to Aduana FC in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday evening.
Tinkler was appointed as Kotoko's head coach on July 17, 2026, as part of a technical overhaul led by director of football Stanley Purl Menzo. His appointment was seen as an effort to restore the club to its former glory and develop players for the national team. During his time with Kotoko, Tinkler oversaw four league matches, resulting in one win, two draws, and one defeat. The team also won the Democracy Cup under his leadership.
The club has expressed gratitude to Tinkler for his professionalism during his short spell with Kotoko and has begun the process of appointing a successor. Tinkler's departure is not linked to the recent defeat to Aduana FC, according to the club. His league record with Kotoko showed promise, but the team struggled against Aduana, with Stephen Amankona scoring in the seventh minute and Seidu Saana adding a second goal in stoppage time.
Tinkler is expected to return to South Africa and take over as the head coach of Durban City FC. The KwaZulu-Natal club recently dismissed Khalil Ben Youssef after a brief tenure that began in June. Ben Youssef's league record was one win, four draws, and two losses from seven Betway Premiership matches. Tinkler had been linked to the Durban post before Ben Youssef's appointment, with earlier discussions reportedly stalling over the proposed technical structure.
Kotoko's next match is against Karela United on Thursday, and the team will be without Tinkler on the bench. The club is looking to bounce back from their recent defeat and get back on track in the Ghana Premier League. Tinkler's departure has opened up a new opportunity for the team to regroup and reassess their strategy for the rest of the season.
Eric Tinkler, a former Bafana Bafana midfielder and 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winner, has coached several teams in South Africa, including Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City, and SuperSport United. His experience and expertise will likely be an asset to Durban City FC as they look to improve their performance in the Betway Premiership.
The transfer of Tinkler to Durban City FC marks a new chapter in his coaching career, and it remains to be seen how he will impact the team's performance. Kotoko, on the other hand, will focus on finding a suitable replacement and regaining their momentum in the Ghana Premier League.
Key points
- Eric Tinkler has left Kotoko after just two months as head coach.
- Tinkler is expected to join Durban City FC in South Africa.
- Kotoko has begun the process of appointing a new head coach.
