Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy is at a crossroads after leaving his post as Man United’s first-team attacking coach. Here’s what he should do next.
Benni should make some money first
Benni McCarthy is a South African football legend. He’s achieved some great things as a player, head coach and a specialist role at Old Trafford. Now, he’s got plenty of options to ponder. The most tempting, surely, are opportunities to coach in the lucrative Gulf region or stateside in the United States MLS. Even for a short spell, that type of career move can bring in a serious amount of money and give him the experience needed to tackle new challenges.
Benni McCarthy the player
- First and only South African UEFA Champions League winner with Porto in 2004.
- Two-time Primeira Liga winner with Porto.
- Dutch Eredivisie champion with Ajax Amsterdam in 1998.
- Champion of South Africa with Orlando Pirates in 2011-12.
- Nedbank Cup and MTN8 winner in 2011, also with Pirates.
- All-time leading scorer for Bafana Bafana with 31 goals from 80 caps.
- Until 2023 when Lyle Foster made the switch to Burnley, Benni was the most expensive South African footballer of all time. He moved from Ajax to Celta Vigo for €6m in 1999.
- Benni Scored 18 goals in 36 Premier League appearances in the 2006-07 season.
- In October 2007, Benni McCarthy finished a sequence of scoring with 10 consecutive shots on target in the Premier League.
Benni in the dugout
- Led Cape Town City to MTN8 glory in 2018-19.
- Guided AmaZulu into the CAF Champions League.
- EFL Cup champion in 2022-2023
- FA Cup champion in 2023-2024
Bafana next?
Don’t be surprised if Benni is in the dugout again soon. Right now, he’s without a club and there will be some suitors for his signature. Who knows, South Africa’s greatest footballer could one day coach his country. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet though.
Is Benni the greatest South African player in history? Is there even a debate? Where should he go next?
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