Benni McCarthy: Man United Coach Hopes to Coach Against Wayne Rooney, Xabi Alonso

Benni McCarthy: Man United Coach Hopes to Coach Against Wayne Rooney, Xabi Alonso

Edwin Kiplagat
March 13, 2024 at 9:10 PM
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  • Benni McCarthy is eyeing a managerial job
  • The South African is a coach at Manchester United
  • He wants to come up against the likes of Xabi Alonso

Manchester United's first team coach, Benni McCarthy, has disclosed his ambition to coach against the likes of Xabi Alonso, Wayne Rooney, and Steven Gerrard.

The former South Africa international has been a coach at Old Trafford since 2022, and it seems he would love to get back to the touchline.

Benni McCarthy, manchester United, South Africa, Bafana Bafana, Hugo Broos, Wayne Rooney, Xabi Alondo
Benni McCarthy has managed teams in South Africa before. Photo by Matt McNulty.
Source: Getty Images

In his role, McCarthy has been coaching the likes of Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, and Alejandro Garnacho at Old Trafford.

Before joining Erik ten Hag's team, McCarthy had managed Cape Town City and AmaZulu FC in South Africa. He told iDiski Times that he wants to test his capabilities against upcoming coaches.

He mentioned Al Ettifaq coach Gerrard, Rooney, former Everton coach Frank Lampard, and Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, whose team is currently flying in the Bundesliga.

"So, it’s that generation, my generation, that’s the next coaches for the next 10, 15 years, until the generation after us will come and take over from us, you know? So, this is now the stage for us to flourish."
"That is my hope that I get the opportunity, then I get the opportunity to manage again, my team against a Xabi Alonso team or a Steven Gerrard, and the likes and so forth.”

His time at the club could come to an end soon after Sir Jim Ratcliffe became a minority owner. There is potential that he, alongside ten Hag, could be shown the door in the summer.

McCarthy's Bafana ambition

Sports Brief earlier reported on McCarthy disclosing his ambition of coaching the Bafana Bafana.

The former Blackburn Rovers and Porto striker said he wants to be the coach of his country while he's still young, not in his 70s like current coach Hugo Broos.

If the Belgian decided to walk away, McCarthy would be in a good position to take over.

Hojlund lauds McCarthy

Sports Brief also reported on Man United striker Rasmus Hojlund praising McCarthy.

The Danish star commended his coaching ability, adding that South Africa is happy to share his vast football knowledge with the players.

Authors
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Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.
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