Former Hearts of Oak defender Dan Quaye has defended former Hearts head coach Didi Dramani, insisting the club’s underwhelming season was largely the fault of the players rather than the technical team.
Quaye made the remarks following Hearts of Oak’s decision to part ways with Dramani despite the club finishing third in the just-ended Ghana Premier League season.
According to the former defender, coaches can only provide guidance and tactics, with the ultimate responsibility resting on the players to execute instructions on the pitch.
“Every work has leaders. The leaders are only offering teaching to equip the subordinates. In football, I believe a coach’s influence is 20%, players have 80%,” Quaye told ghanasportspage.com
“Supporters only want goals, so if the coach gives players tactics and they fail to execute, then it’s not the coach’s fault.”
Quaye expressed disappointment with the club’s inability to challenge for the league title since their last triumph in 2021, arguing that the team’s performances have steadily declined in recent years.
“I’m very disappointed. Hearts of Oak last won the league in 2021. The performance has declined since then. The coach did everything possible, but the players’ performances were poor. I will blame the struggles on the players,” he stated.
The former Hearts defender also compared the current squad to previous generations, claiming modern players enjoy far better conditions but have failed to match the achievements of their predecessors.
“We played in worse conditions, but we delivered. These players are spoiled. Togbe Afede XIV wouldn’t have problems if he had our squad,” Quaye said.
“They have everything at Pobiman but still can’t deliver. We have to hold the players accountable.”
His comments come amid growing debate over Hearts of Oak’s future direction after the dismissal of Dramani, with many supporters questioning whether the club’s challenges extend beyond the dugout.
Despite securing a third-place finish, Hearts ended another season without a league title, extending their wait for domestic glory to five years since lifting the Ghana Premier League trophy in 2021.
