South African football legend Benedict ‘Benni’ McCarthy was the talk of global sport this weekend after he landed a crucial job under Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United.
How did Benni McCarthy get appointed as Manchester United coach?
Following a stellar career as a head coach in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, McCarthy is back on the international stage, representing one of the greatest football clubs in history.
Details around the appointment are still sketchy but from what we understand, credit can be given to McCarthy’s long-time business representative, Rob Moore. According to City Press, Moore shopped McCarthy’s resumé to Ten Hag in May 2022, right after he was appointed as Man Utd’s manager.
At the time, as reported by Soccer Laduma, McCarthy was two months into his hiatus from coaching, following a historic 2020/21 season with AmaZulu FC.
Not only did McCarthy perform miracles in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), but his tenure was so impressive he was offered to coach Bafana Bafana.
“He made AmaZulu FC fans dream again. At the end of the day, all of that is not up for debate, he was a huge success,” Moore told the cited publication.
It seems, McCarthy’s track record in finding spark in low morale team settings attracted Ten Hag’s attention, who will surely face intense scrutiny from the British media in his first attempt at reigniting the flame at Old Trafford.
What will he be responsible for?
McCarthy joins a reinspired football club that has great ambitions for the 2022/23 Premier League season. Already, in this transfer market, Man Utd have shown intent with the key recruitments of former Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur attacker, Christian Eriksen, and the highly sought-after Argentinian centre-back Lisandro Martínez.
Rumours around Cristiano Ronaldo‘s exit have been swirling but the iconic forward returned to training last week.
McCarthy joins Ten Hag’s team as the First Team’s striking coach. In a statement, Man Utd confirmed the South African will “specialise in coaching attacking plays and positioning.”
He will work with Ronaldo, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and other star players to instil Ten Hag’s attacking philosophy, which relies heavily on the high-press.
Who will Benni McCarthy coach?
Man Utd’s starting 11 heading into the new Premier League season is one that threatens to break into the Top Four. Here are the players McCarthy will be coaching:
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Anthony Martial
- Marcus Rashford
- Mason Greenwood
- Jadon Sancho
- Anthony Elanga
- Tahith Chong
- Shola Shoretire
- Alejandro Garnacho
