Hearts of Oak coach Sergio Traguil has taken a swipe at journalists following reports in the local media that the Phobians top hierarchies have given him a five-match ultimatum to save his job after going three games without a win against Asante Kotoko, Liberty Professionals and Aduana Stars.

The Portuguese, who was hired by Hearts as youth team coach, replaced Kenichi Yatsuhashi last month following the latter's request for a five-week leave to attain a coaching certificate in his native country, Japan.

Traguil has been on the defensive following intense criticisms from the club's supporters and the media.

"It's not true that Hearts gave me five games or whatever [and] that report is nonsense seriously. No, [it's] 500 per cent lies," Traguil told Kumasi-based Silver FM.

"How can someone think of such news when I just arrived in the country two weeks ago, it's serious. At times, when I see something in the press, I just ignore it anyway. I respect the pressmen because I know your job is not easy at all because you guys are always searching for news but these kinds of things are nonsense, seriously nonsense.

"I'm not asking our supporters to love me but rather telling them to support the players and to love the club because coaches will come and go but Hearts will remain," he added.

Traguil further emphasised that he joined the club to develop talents for the various national teams in the future and that aim still holds unabated.

"I came to build a new identity for the club especially, the youth system. We've started doing that despite taking over the senior side. I'm to build a good youth system that will let us see Hearts players in the various national teams or become," he concluded.

Hearts currently sit third on the Ghana Premier League log with 31 points, one behind table-toppers Wa All Stars and will travel to Sekondi on Sunday to lock horns with Hasaacas in matchday 19.