NEWS
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Benni Mccarthy: From super player to super coach
It has only been two years since he took up his first coaching job with Cape Town. Benni has already won his first silverware in form of the MTN8 Cup. With a decorated career that spun across Europe, including a UEFA Champions League triumph under Jose Mourinho, he could as well be heading towards a glamorous coaching career.
Edwin van der Sar of Manchester United shares a laugh with Benni McCarthy of Blackburn after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford on October 31, 2009 in Manchester, England.
(Oct. 30, 2009 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)
Recent changes in football have seen an increasing trend of former players venturing into management after hanging up their boots. For some, things have worked out well while on the other hand, the same can’t be said for others. Nonetheless, zooming into our very own continent we recently witnessed one of the greatest players to ever come out from South Africa lifting his first ever cup as coach. This is none other than Benni “18 area” Mccarthy. The Cape Town born former Orlando Pirates striker led his team FC Cape Town to glory in the recently ended MTN 8 cup competition. FC Cape Town beat Supersport United 4-1 on penalties to claim the richest cup tournament in the continent cruising all the way to the bank with an 8 million rand cheque ( USD 540 000), quite a historical moment for Benni in only just his second season as a coach.
“Benni is the long-standing record goalscorer for Bafana Bafana so surely giving him a chance to lead the side wouldn’t be a bad idea after all, or so at least I would like to think, “local is lekker”, as most South African football fanatics would say.”
Benni McCarthy of West Ham Unitedspeaks to team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers at the Boleyn Ground on August 21, 2010 in London, England.
(Aug. 20, 2010 - Source: Phil Cole/Getty Images Europe)
His journey as coach has been an encouraging one I must say. Leading his team to the top 5 in the 2017/2018 season was quite an achievement for someone who was being thrown in the deep end of the very volatile coaching job. Mind you, he also happened to be the manager when FC Cape Town lost to the very same Supersport United last season, so this was more like revenge being served at its very best by Benni and company. In his two year stay at the club, Benni has certainly improved both his side as well as himself in the process. FC Cape Town have become an organised side that many teams find hard to break down due to how well they are organised. Moreover, Mccarthy himself has learnt a great deal as a young
coach, making a lot of mistakes while also making a lot of positive strides while at the helm of the team. All that has enabled the 40-year-old Mccarthy and his team to finally clinch a cup and open up the club’s trophy cabinet to introduce their first ever trophy with the hope for more silverware in the future. Benni has achieved what only few have been able to by winning this cup. With a glamorous football career which saw him lift the UEFA Champions League with Jose Mourinho during their time at Portugues giants FC Porto, an equally glamorous coaching career is dawning.
With one cup in the bag, many will agree that the stakes are now even higher for Benni and consistency is key if he is to engrave his name as one of the best local coaches in South Africa. Whether or not he can go on to win the league with his team, is a story for another day. But rest assured, the former Blackburn Rovers marksman certainly has the right attitude which will help him develop faster and become a better coach. Many have even earmarked him as a future Bafana Bafana (the South African men’s national team) coach and I would totally approve of that idea. Mind you, Benni is the long-standing record goalscorer for Bafana Bafana so surely giving him a chance to lead the side wouldn’t be a bad idea after all, or so at least I would like to think, “local is lekker”, as most South African football fanatics would say. Either way, Benni’s maiden trophy as coach might just be the right tonic to propel him to be counted amongst some of the best local coaches in South Africa (provided he stays consistent and doesn’t get the sack).
Benni McCarthy and Tanaka Marcus in action durng the International friendly match between South Africa and Japan at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
(Nov. 13, 2009 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)
South Africa: Cape Town City edge Pirates to reach the Nedbank Cup quarter final
Ayanda Patosi goal seals the game for Cape Town City in Nedbank Cup
Benni McCarthy’s Blue and Gold Army has once again set the record straight that they belong among the big boys as far as South African football is concerned. Ayanda Patosi’s solitary goal was enough to see off the inform Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates and progress to the last 8. Cape Town City got re-formed in 2016 and we have already seen them win the Telkom Knockout cup, finish as runners’ up in the 2017 MTN 8 cup and now the possibility of another cup is undoubtedly wetting their appetite. Maybe the win was inspired by McCarthy’s return from Pep Guardiola’s camp or purely the ingenuity of Ayanda Patosi, who has now scored winning goals for his team in three consecutive matches. Either way, the Cape Town boys will be happy to await to learn of their opponents in Thursday’s draw featuring, First Division side Ubuntu Cape Town, Free State Stars, Baroka FC, Kaizer Chiefs, Bloemfontein Celtic, Maritzburg United and Mamelodi Sundowns for South Africa’s equivalent of the English FA cup.
Transfers: McCarthy inspired to become one of the world’s greatest coaches
McCarthy aims for excellence
The former Bafana Bafana striker recently spent some time in England, working on his UEFA Pro License and got chance to be immersed in Manchester City’s football rhythms and culture - first hand. He would have loved to “witness Pep’s ingenuity at work” in one of the training sessions but the opportunity to attend the Under-21s session was good enough to inspire him to validate his dreams.
"How can it not inspire you because you see what you are working towards?" he added. "The end game is to be in charge of such a massive club as Man City one day, or hopefully grow [Cape Town City] to be as big." - Benni McCarthy
Benni is currently enjoying his debutant season as head coach of Cape Town City. He has already reached one cup final and is hoping that his boys will get the better of inform Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates to progress in South Africa’s Nedbank cup tournament.