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Soccer News of Monday, 11 November 2002

Source: BBC online

Ian Porterfield gives up

Ian Porterfield has decided not to pursue his interest to become coach of Ghana.

He said his proposal had included a plan to coach the Black Stars without pay for an unspecified period.

"Looking at the way the FA separated with [Milan] Zivadinovic and being aware of the money issue at the time, I was prepared to make myself available," Porterfield told BBC Online.

The Scotsman had been in Ghana for five months coaching Ghanaian first division side Asante Kotoko before he was sacked.

The 'Porcupines' are in the finals of this season's African Cup Winners Cup.

"After leaving Kotoko, I wanted to engage in something else, so I telephoned the FA to see if they could offer me the job."

"Ben Koufie (the FA chairman) was delighted with my request and told me to inform the sports minister, which I did.

"However, nobody got back to me to say: Ian thanks for your proposal but we have somebody else," Porterfield said.

While managing Kotoko, he was said to have made obscene gestures to club officials, which led to his dismissal.

The former Zambia coach has denied behaving in such a manner.

Although Porterfield has left Ghana, he has sued Kotoko for unfair dismissal.

The case is before a court in Ghana's second city, Kumasi.