During his book launch, Benni, the 48-year-old coach, said Kaizer Chiefs and Manchester United are the two clubs he would love to coach, as he grew up supporting them.
“I was a first team coach, I’m giving myself a little bit of time,” McCarthy said as quoted by iDiski Times’ reporter, David Kappel. “Maybe in five to 10 years, I want to be the head coach of Man United.
“And in South Africa, I’ve always been a Kaizer Chiefs supporter. I want to coach the two clubs that I grew up supporting. So Man United and Kaizer Chiefs.”
BENNI MCCARTHY THE COACH
McCarthy, born in Hanover Park on the Cape Flats, built his reputation as a coach by turning around struggling teams.
The Mzansi legend’s job before the Kenyan was with the mighty Manchester United, where he was a striker’s coach. His highlight was assisting Marcus Rashford in reaching a career-high goal tally and contributing to the club’s Carabao Cup and FA Cup successes.
Also read: Kaizer Chiefs legend Khune points one problem inside the dressing room
McCarthy had also left proven success in the Betway Premiership. AS the head coach of AmaZulu between 2020 and 2022, he guided Usuthu to a second-place finish in the 2020/21 season, the club’s highest ranking in the PSL era.
This achievement secured AmaZulu’s first-ever qualification for the CAF Champions League and earned him the PSL Coach of the Season award. His managerial track record also includes winning the 2018 MTN8 title during his time with Cape Town City.
Recently, McCarthy has focused on the international stage with Kenya. He led the Harambee Stars through the CHAN 2024 group stages without a loss, despite facing difficult opponents like Morocco and DR Congo.
Also read: Benni McCarthy on the Kaizer Chiefs job
BENNI THE PLAYER
McCarthy’s playing career is the most decorated in Mzansi. He is still the only South African to win the UEFA Champions League, lifting the trophy with FC Porto in 2004 under José Mourinho during a remarkable season in which he also finished as Portugal’s top scorer with 20 goals to claim the Bola de Prata.
McCarthy’s European journey began at Ajax Amsterdam, where he won the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup double in the 1997/98 season before later securing a then-record €6 million move to Celta Vigo, a South African record. On the international stage, he also left a lasting legacy with Bafana Bafana, where he remains the national team’s all-time leading goalscorer with 31 goals.
Also read: Released Kaizer Chiefs striker scores 9th goal in 9 matches
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF BENNI MCCAARTHY’S DREAM MOVES TO MANCHESTER UNITED AND KAIZER CHIEFS?
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