Kumasi Asante Kotoko, has unveiled former Black Stars gaffer Mariano Barreto as their new head coach.

The Portuguese trainer led the Ghana Black Meteors at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He returns after 17 years to replace coach Johnson Smith, who was in charge on interim basis after the dismissal of Maxwell Konadu, earlier in the season.

The Porcupine warriors announced the deal on Friday morning via various social media platforms.

The 64 years old handled clubs such as, Marítimo, Al-Nassr FC, Naval 1º de Maio, AEL Limassol, Recreativo do Libolo and Al-Qadisiyah.

Barreto is expected to be in the dugout for Kotoko’s next Ghana Premier League fixture against Eleven Wonders.