Is Benni McCarthy Closest to Becoming Premier League’s First African Manager?

• Benni McCarthy is well-positioned to make the leap from coach to manager
• Africa is yet to see one of their own leading an English Premier League team
• Pitso Mosimane and two former players could be his nearest competition

One would think it is a matter of when, not if, Africa's time finally comes.

African players have graced the Premier League for three decades but no coaches from the continent have been given the responsibility to lead from the touchline.

Australasia joined both Americas this season, leaving only Asia and Africa as the continent to not be represented at managerial level.

Various factors may work against them, but those acclimatised to the league and those with the star power to command a dressing room of elite talent get preference.

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Sports Brief takes a look at the African coaches who are the closest to making history as the Premier League's first African manager

Africa's potential first Premier League manager

1. Pitso Mosimane

'Jingles' has flirted with every available position within realistic reach and several years ago it looked as if his progression would see him in Europe sooner, rather than later.

Unfortunately, a rocky time in the Middle East has seen his stock plateau. At 59, he still has time, but needs to rack up a few career highs in quick succession.

His current task is to keep Abha Club in the Saudi Pro League. If he fails at that, his Premier League dream could end, but success would give him the momentum to keep building castles in the Arabian sand.

2. Walid Regragui

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Morocco's boss has buckets of playing experience in Ligue 1 and is still in the infancy of his coaching career at 48.

Born in France, the Moroccan was the first and only African representative to be named in the top three coaches in the IFFHS World's Best Club Coach, as per IFFHS.

Losing to South Africa at AFCON 2023 would have been an unexpected blip and his sights will still be on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After that, a return to club football could be on the cards.

3. Yaya Toure

Reputation and playing pedigree go a long way in the Premier League. Yaya Toure is widely respected in the league, which could nudge him into the good books.

Toure has worked in England already, having led youth teams at Tottenham Hotspur and recently left an assistant coaching position in Belgium to join Robert Mancini in Saudi Arabia, as per Sports Illustrated.

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His Manchester City teammate, Vincent Kompany was given the Burnley FC job while they were in the championship, and this could prove Africa's most likely route.

4. Michael Essien

Ghana's greatest export has only just begun his coaching career but could be roped in to help the Black Stars before climbing to Premier League heights.

Currently gaining experience in Denmark's top division, his Nordsjaelland team have had a good season so far, sitting fourth on the log.

5. Benni McCarthy

Few clubs, if any, undergo the level of scrutiny that Manchester United does, but Benni McCarthy has not featured in a negative headline since joining the Red Devils.

United's attack has been underwhelming this season but that would hardly be the fault of the South African, who is believed to be respected by the players and other staff.

Other than Mosimane, he is the most experienced on this list and a successful return to Holland, Portugal or Spain could be the final challenge before being trusted with a big project.

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Benni McCarthy to stay in Europe

Sports Brief recently reported on McCarthy's desire to coach against those he played against in Europe.

McCarthy has been coaching the likes of Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, and Alejandro Garnacho.

His time at the club could end soon after Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS became minority co-owners.