The revolving door at Asante Kotoko has swung once again — this time ushering out Prosper Narteh Ogum, whose second stint in charge came to a crashing halt after a torrid run of form derailed the club’s title chase.

Yesterday, the Kotoko management again wielded the axe, parting ways with the man who led the club to their last Premier League title in the wake of a dismal run that has seen them suffer two crushing back-to-back losses.

The club confirmed Ogum’s departure in a statement, describing the separation as a “mutual agreement” reached in the best interests of both parties. 

But the truth is far more brutal — Kotoko’s collapse in form left them little choice. In what has become an all-too-familiar script in Kumasi, the 48-year-old tactician paid the ultimate price just a day after the Porcupine Warriors were humbled 2-0 by regional rivals Nations FC — their fourth consecutive league game without a win.

Ogum’s sacking — politely described by the club as a "mutual parting of ways" — brings to an end his second spell at the club, which lasted 639 days over two seasons. 

His record this term shows 13 wins, eight draws and seven losses from 28 league games. While Kotoko have maintained a flawless run in the MTN FA Cup — four wins from four — it is their recent collapse in the league that proved unforgivable.

But behind the diplomatic language lies a harsh reality: Kotoko are in freefall. Having started the season brightly, they’ve plummeted from the summit of the Ghana Premier League table to fourth place, now trailing behind title-chasing Bibiani Gold Stars, Nations FC, and Kpando Heart of Lions. 

With just seven games to go, their title hopes are fading unless they can find a quick-fix solution.

His exit also adds another chapter to Kotoko’s long-running saga of technical instability, marking their 21st coaching change since 2002 and an astonishing 13th manager in the last decade alone. 

During the period some have been hired again in acting or substantive roles and so, the poisoned chalice that is the Kotoko managerial role claims yet another victim -- since Mas-Ud Didi Dramani's exit in 2015, the job has become a notorious graveyard for managerial reputations.

Ogum had enjoyed a dream debut spell with the club, guiding them to their record 25th Premier League title in 2021/22. 

But that honeymoon ended abruptly in June 2022 after 284 days in charge following tensions with the club’s hierarchy.

He returned to much fanfare on July 22, 2023, but history — and Kotoko’s relentless managerial turnover — repeated itself.

Some of the names who have attempted to steady the Kotoko ship over the years read like a roll call of coaching heavyweights, including Maxwell Konadu, Charles Akonnor, David Duncan, Michael Osei, Paa Kwasi Fabin, Mariano Barreto, Seydou Zerbo, Kjetil Zachariassen, Johnson Smith, Steven Polack, and Zdravko Logarusic.

As the search for a new manager begins, the spotlight turns to Kotoko’s next crunch fixture — a must-win encounter against Aduana FC at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Then comes the big one: a mouth-watering showdown with eternal rivals Hearts of Oak in Accra on May 4 – a clash that could define their season by either reviving their campaign or sending it into complete disarray.