Benni McCarthy joins Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Manchester United.
The former Premier League striker, 44, joins the club he has supported all his life – but one he never had the chance to represent as a player.
It will be a huge benefit to Ten Hag that his new coach from South Africa can speak four different languages – a skill he shares with assistant manager Mitchell van der Gaag, who is known for speaking multiple languages to get the most out of the players.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims McCarthy will specialise in coaching attacking players and positioning.
According to The Athletic, McCarthy is familiar with the Manchester area having lived there when he played for Blackburn Rovers. It is believed he shared a good relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo during that time.
McCarthy’s arrival has also been confirmed by the club via ManUtd.com.
Since his retirement, McCarthy has worked as a manager in South Africa at Cape Town City and Amazulu, which saw him claim the 2020-21 South African Premier League Coach of the Year.
His two goals for FC Porto in 2004 helped the Portuguese side knock United out of the Champions League. McCarthy then went on to become the only South African to win Europe’s biggest competition.
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