Asante Kotoko must prioritise mental toughness over tactical CVs as they begin the hunt for a permanent head coach, according to former manager Maxwell Konadu.

The Kumasi-based giants are searching for a long-term successor to Karim Zito, who recently left the Baba Yara Stadium following a run of poor form that left the Porcupine Warriors struggling for consistency.

While Nana Yaw Owusu has stepped in as interim boss, the club’s management is under mounting pressure from the Kumasi faithful to appoint a high-profile figure capable of delivering silverware to the Ashanti Region.

Mr. Konadu, who led Kotoko to Premier League glory in 2012, insists that the weight of the club’s jersey demands a specific type of leader.

Speaking on the search for a new trainer, he cautioned that technical brilliance alone is no guarantee of success in the high-pressure environment of Ghanaian football.

"It is about who will fit the bill," Konadu explained. "Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, you need coaches with character to handle the pressure and their fanbase."

He urged the board to resist a rushed appointment, adding that it is essential to remain patient and ensure they secure the right fit for the club’s unique culture.

The stakes for the next appointment are high. Kotoko currently sit fourth in the Ghana Premier League table, with 38 points after 23 matches.

However, they remain seven points adrift of pacesetters Medeama SC, leaving their title aspirations hanging in the balance.

The club’s management is reportedly scouring both the local and international markets for a manager who can restore confidence to a fractured dressing room, cope with the intense scrutiny of the Kumasi sporting media, and close the gap on the league leaders in the final third of the season.

For now, the Porcupine Warriors must rely on Owusu’s interim guidance as they prepare for a crucial run of fixtures that could define their season.