South African coach Benni McCarthy who recently parted ways with Manchester United has revealed his desire to coach an African team and lead them to the final of the FIFA Club World Cup.
McCarthy who recently parted ways with English Premier League (EPL) giants Manchester United after serving as a striker coach for two seasons under manager Erik Ten Hag has been rumoured to be held in negotiations with 14-times South African league champions Mamelodi Sundowns who parted ways with Rulani Mokwena at the end of the 2023-24 season.
The 46-year-old coach has had an impressive coaching career on home soil, he led Cape Town City towards their first domestic trophy by clinching the MTN8 Cup in the 2018-19 season.
He also led AmaZulu to a second-place finish, qualified for the CAF Champions League and won the Coach of the Season award for the 2020-21 season during his stint with Usuthu.
“After leaving United I think that passion for wanting to be a head coach again brewed through and I think that is the next step for me,” McCarthy said during his interview with CNN Sports
The Bafana Bafana all-time leading goal scorer revealed his desire to use his EPL experience to take charge of one of the African giants and lead them to a Club World Cup final.
Four African teams have been confirmed to have qualified for the upcoming edition of the competition including South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, ES Tunis from Tunisia, Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Wydad AC from Morocco.
“Whether to go back to Africa like to manage one of the big teams, the important team with the knowledge I’ve gained, that would be amazing to manage a team on the continent and then try to make them a powerhouse in African football and also reach a final when you play in the Club World Cup that would be the aim to do that.”
“The MLS interests me a lot of opportunities like that I would welcome because I think I’ve got what it takes to manage there.
“To make players better and to help teams achieve goals that they’ve maybe not achieved in last few years with the clubs it’s just about getting the opportunity,” concluded McCarthy.
Bennie was once linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs before the Soweto giants announced Nasreddine Nabi as their new coach. It remains to be seen whether he will emerge at Sundowns or follow the same route as Pitso Mosimane and Rulani Mokwena and take a coaching job in North Africa.
Written by Siphesihle Soni