Ex-Cameroon assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko will be named as Avram Grant’s successor, according to GHANAsoccernet.com sources.
GHANAsoccernet.com understands the 38-year-old has held informal discussions with the country’s sports ministry to take over from the Israeli when his contract runs out in February next year.
Close confidantes of the soft-spoken ex-international have remained-lipped on the issue, but GHANAsoccernet.com can reveal he will be the new man barring any unforeseen contingencies.
Sports minister Nii Lantey Vanderpuije has not hidden his desire for a local coach to handle the national team with Avram Grant growing unpopular among football aficionados due to his constant globe-trotting escapades.
The former Chelsea coach is owed three months salary to heightened the latest feud between the FA and the sports ministry.
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), which is responsible for the payment of the salary, are being pressured to withhold the salary of Avram Grant into frustrating him to quit his job, GHANAsoccernet.com sources revealed on Monday.
However, Ghana FA spokesman Ibrahim Sannie Daara has revealed he’s unable to confirm the widespread reports which has gained currency in the local media.
“I am in constant touch with him [Avram Grant], he hasn’t told me that,” he told 3FM.
“I don’t know whether it is true but if it is then we will have to deal with it.
“This might be just an administrative problem and we will have to bottle up this issue if indeed it is true.”
Grant’s contract runs out in February next year and now evidently clear that his mandate will not be renewed amid the growing tension between the FA and the ministry.
Tanko was a member of Volker Finke’s backroom staff during his stints with the Indomitable Lions – reuniting with the player he mentored during his days at SC Freiburg.
The German trainer made a similar request to have Tanko serve as his assistant in his bid to become Black Stars coach a few years ago.
This request was however turned down by Ghana FA officials ultimately collapsing the deal.
But it appears the former Black Stars striker will fulfill his coaching dream of managing the West Africans.
Its unclear if the Ghana FA has been informed about the latest move with fears it could destabilize the team ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Uganda on October 7 in Tamale.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker has a decent coaching resume having worked as an assistant at SC Freiburg, Urawa Red Diamonds and FC Köln.
The ex-Cameroon assistant coach was a chief scout for Ghana before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
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