Benni McCarthy’s new first-team management role revealed after Manchester United exit

Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy’s new first-team management role has been revealed following his exit under Erik ten Hag last summer.

Benni McCarthy was a coach at Manchester United for two seasons under the guise of Erik ten Hag during the Dutchman’s tenure at Old Trafford.

McCarthy was well known to be a popular figure in the dressing room and was initially brought in to help United’s forwards, such as Rasmus Højlund and Marcus Rashford.

The South African was a former Premier League striker himself, playing for Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United in the early 2000’s.

However, McCarthy left Old Trafford at the end of the 2023/24 season to pursue his own career in management.

McCarthy lands first international job

Recently, it was confirmed that McCarthy had been appointed as the new manager of the Kenyan national side as they set their sights on qualifying for next year’s World Cup.

“Participating in the World Cup, it is one of the most special feelings in the world and I want to give them that,” McCarthy told the BBC.

“With the right mindset and dedication from the players, and the willingness to learn and willingness to give everything they’ve got for the course, I think we can surprise a lot of people by still qualifying for the World Cup.”

This will be McCarthy’s first role in international management, having taken the position with Cape Town City between 2017-19 and AmaZulu FC between 2020-22, both in the South African first division.

What McCarthy said about Ten Hag

Although McCarthy was much-liked by fans and players during his time at United, he made numerous comments about his old boss, Ten Hag, once he departed United.

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Speaking to Portuguese publication ZEROZERO in October last year, the 47-year-old was highly critical of the Dutchman, stating that Ten Hag was lacking fire and passion at Old Trafford.

“In modern football, I believe that players want to see a bit more passion in their coach,” McCarthy said.

“They need to feel that the coach is with them and willing to fight alongside them. Tactically, I feel that Erik is at the top. He lacks a bit of that fire, that passion. That’s where we differ, him and I.”

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