Benni becomes first SA coach in EPL

South African football legend Benni McCarthy has landed his next job in his budding coaching career, joining Erik Ten Hag's staff at Premier League giants Manchester United.

McCarthy was last on the books of DStv Premiership outfit AmaZulu, where he achieved historic success by leading the club to second place and CAF Champions League qualification for the first time in their history.

He subsequently bagged the PSL Coach of the Season award for his work in the 2020/21 season but things went pear-shaped in the 2021/22 campaign, which saw him part ways with Usuthu in March.

The 44-year-old, who holds a UEFA Pro Licence, also enjoyed success with his previous employers Cape Town City, whom he led to the 2018 MTN8 title.

New Chapter

McCarthy has now become the first South African coach to venture into the world's biggest and most prominent football league, where he also enjoyed substantial success as a player.

"Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has added to his backroom team with the appointment of Benni McCarthy as a first-team coach," read a statement on United's website on Saturday evening.

Having made a name for himself with Ajax Amsterdam in the early stages of his playing career, the Cape Town-born tactician has made good use of his contacts to land a job at the club he supported as a young kid in Hannover Park, with Ten Hag leaving the Eredivisie giants for United two months ago.

"The former South Africa striker was a boyhood Reds fan and scored twice against us for Porto in the 2003/04 Champions League knockout stages," further read the Red Devils' statement.

"The 44-year-old also represented the likes of Ajax, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United during his distinguished career.

"McCarthy left his post as AmaZulu head coach in March after guiding the South African team to a record second position in the league. In 2020/21, he was named the South African Premier League's Coach of the Season.

"The ex-forward will specialise in coaching attacking plays and positioning... Ten Hag will work closely with assistants Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren, with Benni slotting in alongside Eric Ramsay and Darren Fletcher as coaches."

By Web Admin