Benni: ‘I wouldn’t say I was in demand’

Coach Benni McCarthy during the Football Kenya Federation announcement of Benni McCarthy as the head coach of the mens national team on 3 March 2025 ©Kelly Ayoudi/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Mar 06, 2025. 15:00

Contrary to popular belief, Kenya national team coach Benni McCarthy expressed that he was not in high demand following his coaching spell with Manchester United.

The South African football legend was recently unveiled as the new coach of Kenya, a job that raised eyebrows among many of his adoring supporters.

After taking the post, McCarthy revealed that while he was courted by a few clubs in the Major Soccer League, he was far from being a coach in demand.

The ex-UEFA Champions League winner also expressed that he intends on turning Kenya into a powerhouse in African football.

“I would not say I was in demand. I did have a few job interviews for jobs where you go with other coaches, mostly with MLS clubs in the US,” McCarthy told the Kenya football media department, as per the Daily Maverick.

“Then this (the Kenyan job) came back. It’s a sleeping giant in my eyes. I looked at the project and it’s a country that has a lot of potential.

“They have some really talented and young players, who play abroad, all over. With the right mindset, mentality, we can do something special for the team.”