Hearts of Oak head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has issued a staunch defence of his profession, arguing that managers are unfairly scapegoated for match results following the high-profile resignation of Karim Zito.

Mr. Zito stepped down as Asante Kotoko head coach on Monday, 9 February, after a painful exit from the MTN FA Cup at the hands of Aduana FC.

The defeat capped a spell of poor form for the Porcupine Warriors and precipitated a shock departure that has sent ripples through the Ghana Premier League.

Mr. Dramani, who once shared a dugout with Zito during their time at the Kumasi-based club, said the modern game places an unrealistic burden on those in the technical area.

While he accepts coaches are responsible for tactics, discipline and preparation, he stressed that the final scoreline often hinges on choices made by players and other factors outside a coach’s direct control.

"Coaches are not responsible for the outcomes of games," Dramani told Joy Sports. "But many times they are perceived to be responsible." He added: "We are very much responsible for the way our teams play and for the way our teams will perform and the way they will behave.

"But the outcome sometimes is very difficult to control because you don't control the decision the player makes."

Mr. Zito’s resignation underlines the volatile nature of management in Ghanaian football. Asante Kotoko have won just once in their last six league outings and sit fifth in the table on 35 points, one behind Hearts of Oak, intensifying the rivalry between the two clubs as the season enters a crucial phase.

The controversy around Zito’s exit and Dramani’s defence highlights the growing scrutiny on coaches whose job security can be instantly undermined by a run of poor results.

For Dramani, the episode is a reminder of the psychological toll exacted on managers when expectations and outcomes diverge, and a call to appreciate the limits of a coach’s influence over events on the pitch.