Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s obsession with expatriate coaches has taken yet another turn with the Scot Ian Porterfield taking over the reins of the Porcupine Warriors, according to the state-owned sports bi-weekly, Graphic Sports.

Porterfield was reported last week as warming up for a possible replacement of Ernst Middendorp who was said to be on his way out. And when the German eventually ended his 13-month romance last Thursday, the focus immediately shifted to his likely successor, with the former Trinidad and Tobago coach in pole position after losing the Black Stars’ vacant job to Yugoslav Millan Zivadinovic.

Porterfield on Monday morning conducted his first training session with his newfound as he put the playing body through their paces ahead of Wednesday’s league clash with Dawu Youngsters in Kumasi. The Scot told a Kumasi-based radio station that he agreed to handle the FA Cup holders after watching them play against South African champions, Santos, in their Cup Winners Cup match in Kumasi.

He said he was attracted by the “passion” exhibited by the army of Kotoko fans, as well as the good “foundation and right direction” provided by the club’s management. He has reportedly signed a one-year renewable contract.

Porterfield, 56, becomes the fourth expatriate and second Briton to flirt with Asante Kotoko in the last two decades after Englishman Ron Heckman, David Booth (lasted one month) and Middendorp. The Scot brings along rich credentials as a high profile footballer in his hey days and a coach of repute with top clubs and some national teams. As a player, Porterfield starred for English clubs like Sunderland, Raith Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday.

His coaching career began with Dundee United of Scotland and then English Premiership side, Chelsea, between 1992 and 1993. He had his first African experience months later when he took over the rebuilding of the Zambian team after the tragic air crash that wiped out almost the entire team. After leading them to the quarterfinal of the 1994 Nations Cup, Porterfield moved to Zimbabwe briefly, the Gulf State of Oman, before a year’s Caribbean stint with Trinidad and Tobago.

With Kotoko’s supporters expecting a successful season, it appears the Scot is already geared up for the challenges ahead. “This could be a nice challenge. I expect a good harvest and progress,” he aired adding that, “I’ve come here to make Kotoko better”.

Immediately Middendorp exited, it was rumoured that former Kotoko coach, Malik Jabir, was likely to step in as a caretaker coach, but he flatly denied any link with the job as “baseless rumours”. Jabir, now elevated to the club’s Board of Directors, ruled out any future engagement with any club as it could one day lead to a conflict of interest with his new elevated role.

However, he left the door open for national teams as the only job that would attract him to return to coaching. He debunked the assertion by Middendorp that the Board interfered with his work, hence the German’s decision not to renew his contract with Kotoko.

Jabir said last week that Middendorp or any issue relating to the club’s technical direction had never been discussed at any of the Board’s five meetings so far. “We don’t even know the terms of his contract and anything concerning his relationship with Kotoko, so from what position would we be discussing him?” he queried.

But in what looks like carrying the recent confusion in the Kotoko stable far, the Board of Directors say they are unaware of the signing on of the new coach by the club. Board Chairman, Mr P.V. Obeng when contacted by the Graphic Sports stated that the board has not been officially informed of the signing of any new coach for Kotoko. He said the board members learned of the appointment on air.

Meanwhile, information pieced together suggests that the board is not going to sit down for the Herbert Mensah management to flagrantly flout laid down policy guidelines of the club, the appointment of coaches inclusive. Management, according to a reliable source, has no power to appoint a coach without seeking the approval of the board.

Some distinguished followers of Kotoko who interacted with the leading sports paper separately and unanimously agreed that the board has to put its foot down in the face of management's decision to play to the gallery now. They said the board has come to stay and if management decides to circumvent it on matters of policy, it is the authority of the Spiritual head and owner of the club, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, that they are challenging.

"Whoever thinks he can hijack Kotoko from Manhyia must be the biggest day-dreamer," one of them asserted. He said times have changed in Kotoko and if the management thinks it can't work with the board, it must leave the scene just like coach Middendorp did.