Bashir Hayford departs Heart of Lions

Ghana Premier League side Heart of Lions have announced the departure of head coach Bashir Hayford, following the expiration of his contract.

The experienced gaffer had been at the helm of the Kpando-based outfit’s technical bench for the past three seasons, having returned to the club in December 2023 after previously managing them in the 2006/07 season.

The club, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, confirmed the coach’s exit on their official Facebook page.

“Heart of Lions Football Club announces that Head Coach Bashir Hayford has departed the club after the expiration of his contract, bringing an end to his time with the team.

The Management paid tribute to Hayford’s contribution, adding:”Coach Hayford served the club with dedication, professionalism, and commitment throughout his tenure. His experience, leadership, and passion for the game played an important role in the club’s journey, and we sincerely appreciate his contribution both on and off the pitch.

The departure comes despite Hayford having previously expressed a desire to stay on. In May, as Heart of Lions battled to avoid relegation, he indicated he was willing to remain in charge of the club despite the challenging campaign, which included a heavy 5-2 defeat to newly crowned champions Medeama SC.

It remains unclear whether the decision not to renew his contract was mutual or came solely from the club’s end.The management extended their gratitude to the coach for his service to the club:

“On behalf of the Board, Management, players, staff, supporters, and the entire Heart of Lions family, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Coach Bashir Hayford for his service and wish him every success in the next chapter of his coaching career.”

Under Hayford, Heart of Lions secured a second-place finish in the 2024–25 Ghana Premier League — one of the most successful seasons in the club’s recent history. However, that form proved difficult to replicate, as they spent much of the following campaign fighting relegation, ultimately surviving in 14th place on 45 points.

No successor has been named yet, and the club’s statement didn’t comment on its plans for the technical bench ahead of the new season.