AshGold trainer Bashiru Hayford has insisted that he never abandoned the club to step aside when they were in difficult moments, rather he went to pursue a course abroad.

Reports were that the troubled gaffer has stepped aside from the activities of the club following their poor show in the league.

Contrary to speculations that he abandoned his job to take his leave, the outspoken coach stated that he left because he had an opportunity to study abroad but did not abandon the team.

“I did not leave the club as was speculated. I went to study and that was not a leave. When I was at Kotoko and Medeama I sought permission to go and study and that has helped to upgrade myself,” he explained.

Hayford joined the Soccer Miners in 2013 after terminating his contract with Medeama SC and helped the club to end their 19- year league title drought last season.