Former Bafana Bafana striker, Benni McCarthy, has joined Erik Ten Hag's coaching staff at Manchester United
Manchester United coach, Erik ten Hag, has revealed former Blackburn Rovers FC Porto striker, Benni McCarthy, has joined his coaching staff to add a ‘different voice’ – and share his expertise in the 18 area.
McCarthy was at Old Trafford on Sunday as the Reds drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano in their final pre-season friendly after Hollywoodbets ambassador, Robert Marawa, broke the story that the South African will be coaching in England next season.
His appointment as a first-team coach was confirmed over the weekend, and the former striker will look to sharpen United’s attacking line that has been blunt in the last two seasons.
McCarthy will assist the team in its final week of preparation ahead of the 2022/2023 Premier League kick-off against Brighton & Hove at Old Trafford on Sunday.
“There was still one place in our coaching staff that I wanted to fill,” he told MUTV. “Someone with a different voice, and Benni is that one.
“He has experience as a manager. He was a coach at a professional level, and he was a former striker, a successful striker as well.”
McCarthy, a Champions League winner with FC Porto, scored 37 goals in 120 appearances in the Premier League.
“He will focus on the positioning and attacking,” explains Ten Hag, speaking on McCarthy’s role in the technical team.
“I’m not saying only the strikers, but also the integration from the full-backs and midfielders. Our way of play has to be dynamic.”
McCarthy has achieved a lot as a coach in a short time in SA football, winning the MTN 8 Cup with Cape Town City FC and helping AmaZulu qualify for the CAF Champions League for the first time in their history.
