Former AshantiGold coach David Duncan says he has sealed a three-year deal to manage South African side Free State Stars in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

He told a local Ghanaian newspaper that he will replace incumbent Kinnah Phiri and has a mandate to turn the PSL side into a top three club.

He adds that he is excited about his first crack at management outside of Ghana.

Duncan had been a regular critic of the two big sides in Ghana, Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, and claims he looked outside the country for a new job because he reckoned he couldn’t handle another local side after spending two years at AshantiGold.

And he says his decision was sealed after spending time in South Africa recently.

“I have been to Free State Stars in South Africa, seen things for myself and have absolutely no doubt in my mind I made the right decision,” he said.

Duncan is also convinced he made his mark during his two seasons at AshantiGold.

“For me, it was a job well accomplished. We played twice in the CAF Champions League and gave the challenge our best shot under trying circumstances. Indeed, AshantiGold should have placed first in our last outing if we had a credible system,” he said.

A huge admirer of Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, Duncan represented Great Olympics as a player, while still studying at the University of Ghana, before coaching them. He spent time at Sekondi Hasaacas before settling at AshantiGold.

Generally regarded as one of the bright stars among Ghanaian coaches, he has also gained a reputation for his straight-talking style and regular condemnation of referees every time his side has lost games.