I Will Respond to Insults- Hearts of Oak Coach Warns Journalists

Hearts of Oak head coach, Aboubakar Ouattara, has made it clear that he will not tolerate insults from journalists, emphasizing that he will respond if provoked.

In an interview with Accra-based Hot FM, Ouattara warned that any journalist who insults or attacks him, whether on air or in person, should expect a similar response. He stated that if a journalist approaches him with a negative attitude, he would respond in kind.

“If you (a journalist) come before me with the same attitude you used to insult me on radio, I will respond accordingly. You came here with a personal opinion about me, not about the match. Nobody feeds anyone here, so say whatever you want.

“There are journalists who criticize me for a whole week without insulting me, and when we meet, I still speak with them because I know they’re just doing their job. But if you insult me somewhere and I hear it, or you stand before me and speak out of line, I’m not Jesus Christ I won’t just let it go. I will respond,” he said.

Ouattara, known for his tense relationship with the media, has had several confrontations with journalists during pre- and post-match interviews in the Ghana Premier League. His latest remarks followed Hearts’ recent victory over Medeama, where he expressed concern over some of the media’s critical comments.

While Ouattara has had his share of disagreements with the press, he also mentioned that he maintains positive relationships with journalists who criticize him professionally, without making personal attacks. He acknowledged that there are journalists who challenge him with criticism, but he still engages with them because he understands they are doing their job.

However, he made it clear that if a journalist insults him, either publicly or in person, he will not simply overlook it. Ouattara’s clashes with the media have often overshadowed his tactical work, making his media appearances a frequent subject of discussion in the country.