Former Assistant Coach of the Black Stars, Ibrahim Tanko says he is determined to lead the continued growth of Accra Lions following his appointment as the new Sporting Director for the Ghana Premier League (GPL) side.
The former Ghana international has agreed on a deal with the club and would start work immediately in the new role.
A statement released by the club said that the role for the 44-year-old gaffer would see him shape the activities of the senior team while giving a laser-guided focus to the methods of the club’s academy.
He would also lead the restructuring of the process of recruitment at the club.
Speaking about his appointment, Tanko said: “I am extremely proud and happy to be taking the role of the Sporting Director of Accra Lions Football Club on this exciting project. I would like to thank the club, the leadership, management, players, and supporters for the warm welcome and for placing their faith in me.
“I want to assure them that together with all my colleagues, we would do our utmost best to consolidate the solid and continuous growth at the club,” he said.
Nana Obiri, Chief Executive Officer of Accra Lions, in the club statement said: “We are absolutely pleased that Tanko has agreed to work in the role of a Sporting Director of the club.
“His immense playing and coaching experience makes him the right person for the job at this important phase of the club.
“We are certain he would bring his playing experience and coaching knowledge to bear at Accra Lions and help us achieve our cherished ambitions.”
Ibrahim Tanko
Tanko who is undoubtedly one of the best coaches on the local scene has worked at the highest level in world football having been assistant coach of German sides Freiburg and FC Cologne before travelling to Japan to work with Urawa Red Diamonds.
The former Ghana striker worked with the Cameroonian senior national team as their assistant coach before leaving to occupy a similar position with the Black Stars in 2017. Two years later he was named the head coach of the Black Meters, Ghana’s U23 side, and led them to the Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Egypt.
He subsequently served as the head coach of Ghana’s home-based national team, the Local Black Stars, for five months before he was replaced. Tanko played for King Faisal Babies before moving to Germany in 1994 where he played for giants Borussia Dortmund before ending his playing career at Freiburg.
