Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler says the club’s ambitions extend far beyond improving results, with financial pressure, inadequate infrastructure and indiscipline within the squad creating major obstacles to progress.
Tinkler, the former Sekhukhune United coach, says the club understands the difficulties it faces, but believes those problems must be addressed if Asante Kotoko are to return to the CAF Champions League.
Speaking to Metro FM of South Africa, Tinkler acknowledged the expectation that he should deliver trophies but said the situation at the club was more complicated than results alone might suggest.
“I think the modern game is demanding. The expectations of all club owners is success, and obviously that is what the club wants, and that’s also what I want,” he said.
The coach made clear that success remains his central aim since taking charge. He is targeting a return to Africa’s leading club competition, while recognising that achieving that objective will require improvements throughout the organisation.
“I came here to be a successful coach. I came here to try and get this club qualify again for the Champions League,” he added.
However, Tinkler says tactical preparation and performances on the pitch cannot solve every problem facing the Ghanaian club. He identified financial limitations and poor infrastructure as continuing concerns, while also highlighting disciplinary issues that have affected the team since his arrival.
“But the club is well aware of the challenges that they face, both financially, also in terms of infrastructure,” he said.
Tinkler is now seeking to establish a more professional working environment at Asante Kotoko. He said that has included confronting repeated incidents of indiscipline and trying to understand the wider factors responsible for them.
“We’re looking to try and create an environment that is more professional. We’ve had to deal with a lot of indiscipline at the club, and I think a lot of that stems from a number of factors, and the club is aware of that,” he noted.
The coach did not attempt to downplay the pressure he faces. Despite the difficulties surrounding the club, he accepted that his performance will ultimately be measured by the team’s results and displays.
“I think I will be judged, obviously, on results and performance. But at the same time, the club was well aware of the difficulties that we face,” he said.
Tinkler’s comments underline the scale of the task at Asante Kotoko as he attempts to combine immediate competitive demands with longer-term improvements behind the scenes. His stated objective is to guide the club back to the CAF Champions League, but he says progress will depend on addressing the conditions that currently affect the team’s daily operation.
