Hearts of Oak's Japanese coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi has rejected reports that he is in secret talks to join arch-rivals Asante Kotoko insisting he is happy with the Phobians.

Local radio station Asempa FM reported over the weekend that the Kumasi-based giants are flirting with the Phobians' head coach, claiming a dispute over his salary is causing some unrest.

The Japanese trainer was reported to be unhappy with his current wages at Hearts and is open to leaving the Accra-based side at the end of the first-half of the Ghanaian season.

The Porcupine Warriors, who are looking for a coach after asking David Duncan to step aside, were reported to have taken advantage of the impasse to convince Kenichi to move to Kumasi.

Kotoko has installed assistant coach Michael Osei in a stop-gap role but are seeking to lure the Japanese trainer.

However, the Hearts coach has rejected the report insisting he is happy with the Phobians and he is not willing to leave the club to join the Porcupines.

"It is also not true that I have been contacted by Kotoko. Kotoko is one of two biggest football clubs in Ghana, and I respect them," Hearts Yatsuhashi wrote on Facebook.

"However, my heart is with Accra Hearts of Oak. My motivation is our Hearts supporters.

"As long as the supporters of Hearts support me and trust me to guide our club to success, I will do and have always done my best."

Yatsuhashi joined Hearts before the start of the current Ghanaian season and he is credited with building a strong side which challenging for the Premier League title and turning around the playing standard of the club.