Benni McCarthy: Where to next for the Kaizer Chiefs-linked coach after Manchester United exit?

McCarthy can look back at his time at Old Trafford with a lot of pride having served his boyhood club with aplomb, realising a lifelong dream.

Having turned out for Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United in the English top flight during his illustrious playing career, McCarthy wrote another chapter as he returned as a coach.

McCarthy thrived in his role at United as he was credited for Marcus Rashford's impressive scoring form in the 2022-23 season.

It was the opposite, however, in his last season as he was heavily criticised for United’s poor showing in front of goal where they scored just 57 goals in 38 Premier League games.

Nevertheless, the retired hitman did play a key part in the club’s two trophies in two years and leaves with no regrets.

Furthermore, McCarthy enjoyed a good relationship with many of the United players and will look back at his time at the club fondly.

There’s no shortage of suitors for McCarthy in the Premier Soccer League where he has already made a name for himself as a coach.

Prior to his Man United spell, McCarthy had been head coach of Cape Town City and AmaZulu, where he thrived.

At City, McCarthy won his first major piece of silverware as a coach when he led the club to the MTN 8 title in 2018. Although his spell at Usuthu did not yield any silverware, he led the club to their highest finish in the league and was named the PSL coach of the season in 2020-21. He just missed out on the Kaizer Chiefs job having been linked for the longest time with the club opting for Nasreddine Nabi.

McCarthy remains undoubtedly one of SA’s best exports having won the UEFA Champions League at Porto during his playing days before breaking new ground as a coach.

He is no stranger to the European market having worked for  Sint-Truiden in Belgium as assistant coach in addition to the invaluable experience he gained at United.

McCarthy could well be eyeing another big role in Europe, this time perhaps as the head coach. It is not farfetched for the record Bafana scorer to attract interest from Belgian, Danish or Dutch clubs

After watching his compatriot Bradley Carnell thrive for some time in Major League Soccer before his eventual dismissal as St Louis City coach, McCarthy would have been feeling that he too has what it takes to hold his own in that league.

There have been some links to the MLS with McCarthy’s pedigree and experience appealing to some in the United States. The MLS could be a likely destination for a young coach like McCarthy as it would not come with as much pressure as a move to a European league.

The MLS also has quite a few South African players with the likes of Njabulo Blom (St Louis City), Cassius Mailula (FC Toronto), Tsiki Ntsabeleng (FC Dallas), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota FC) and Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union) flying the flag. This could also attract McCarthy.

McCarthy, who is desperate to return to management, will likely also be considering following in another one of his compatriots Pitso Mosimane’s footsteps by making his way to the Saudi Pro League.

According to reports, an unnamed Saudi club has sounded out the idea of having McCarthy as their head coach ahead of the fast-approaching 2024-25 season.

The simplest option for McCarthy would be to return to the PSL where he is much sought after and knows the ins and outs, however, with arguably the biggest job now out of the question after Chiefs went for Nabi, there might be little to encourage the 46-year-old.

The recent availability of the Mamelodi Sundowns head coach’s position, however, means there might be something in PSL that could turn McCarthy’s head after all.

But perhaps McCarthy’s best option could be to continue his career in Europe, whether that’s in the English Championship or the Dutch, Danish and Belgian leagues. However, it must be said that a move to the Saudi Pro League and the MLS would also be a step in the right direction.