'I'd just be like Zidane and Guardiola' - Benni flirts with Orlando Pirates coaching job

Former Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy has confirmed that he will avail himself if Dr Irvin Khoza contacts him for the vacant coaching position at Orando Pirates.

The Buccaneers have stepped up their search for a new coach, and Khoza revealed last weekend that he hopes to finalise everything with the potential coach before the PSL resumes next month, and McCarthy has thrown his hat in the ring, saying he would grab the opportunity with both hands, although he admits that he hasn't been contacted by anyone at Pirates, including the chairman.

The 39-year-old said it would be an honour to return to the club, adding that he'd just be like Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola, who launched their coaching careers with their former clubs.  

"The chairman is a very busy man - no one from Pirates has spoken to me. I wouldn't say no to Pirates. If they approached me, I would grab the job with both hands," McCarthy told the Daily Sun newspaper on Thursday.

"I feel like part of the furniture and the family there. It would be a huge blessing for me - and I'd be just like Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola coaching the clubs they once played for," he said.

"When I arrived at Pirates as a player, it was a match made in heaven. The supporters loved me and gave me the best send-off when I retired. The club gave me a platform to leave a legacy in South Africa and I boosted the club with my performances," McCarthy continued.

"But the chairman has faith in coach Palacios, who is very experienced and has been at the club for many years. As for me, all this is just speculation," he reiterated. 

"I want to show that soccer players are not dumb, and that we can study and achieve in the classroom as well. My next move is to start sending out my CV and putting my name out there. I am ready to be a manager and to coach," concluded the former Blackburn Rovers marksman.   

Legendary midfielder Helman Mkhalele earlier this week told Goal that McCarthy was more than ready to coach a team as big as Pirates.  

Augusto Palacios, who took over from Muhsin Ertugral in November last year, is still in charge of the team as they prepare for the second half of the season.