McCarthy set to fill Kenya vacancy

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Dec 28, 2024. 10:26

Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy appears to be making the jump to international management with reports claiming he’s on the verge of taking on the Kenya job.

The Bafana Bafana legend expressed his desire to get back into the dugout earlier this month after revealing he had been interviewed by three unnamed Major Soccer League (MLS) clubs.

McCarthy impressed in spells at Cape Town City and AmaZulu before accepting Erik ten Hag’s offer to join his backroom staff at Old Trafford ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

The 47-year-old spent two seasons as a striker coach at United before departing the club in June 2024 and he now seems set to try his hand at managing on the international stage.

The Harambee Stars are on the lookout for a new head coach after Engin Firat resigned on December 11 due to arrears with his salary and newly-elected Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed is believed to have settled on McCarthy.

Kenya are preparing to co-host the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and they will also be staging the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Tanzania and Uganda.

Firat failed to guide the national team to the 2025 African showpiece in Morocco and McCarthy will be tasked with challenging Ivory Coast and Gabon for a spot at the 2026 World Cup, where they currently sit fourth in Group F of qualifying.