Hearts name ex-star Thompson as new coach

Accra, June 19, GNA - League leaders Accra Hearts of Oak have appointed ex-international player Nii Noi Thompson as the acting Head Coach of the Club with immediate effect.

Thompson, a member of the Club's squad of the 70's replaces Serbian Kostadin Papic with an initial contract to handle the Club till the end of the 2008/2009 soccer season.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by Administrative Manager of club, Ashford Tettey Oku copied to GNA Sports in Accra on Friday.

Thompson, who cut his coaching teeth at Liberty Professionals under Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio has been club-less, after newly promoted Bechem Chelsea relieved him of his post some few months ago. A holder of CAF, GFA/UEFA, Sir Alex Ferguson and George Graham Football Seminar Certificates, he also had stints with the defunct Akotex, Accra Great Olympics and Julius Berger of Nigeria during his playing days.

"Assuming office at such a crucial time, it is the hope of Management that all genuine Phobians will give him the needed support and cooperation to be able to deliver, just as his forbearers Addo Odametey and Cecil Jones Attuquayefio who played to the highest level also did as coaches for the Club," the statement added. Coach Thompson's first task will be on Sunday when he is expected to assembly a formidable side to face 'Pride of the North" RTU in their Week 24 clash at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

Meanwhile, ex-defender Sampson Lamptey has also been drafted to the technical team to enrich the bench of the Club.

Lamptey, a member of the Black Stars squad that won the 1982 African Cup of Nations in Tripoli, Libya was previously in charge of the Club's nursery side, the Auroras.