Former Manchester City star Yaya Touré believes African coaches should demonstrate they can compete with their European counterparts when they get opportunities like Benni McCarthy’s.
The Bafana Bafana record goalscorer was recently appointed as a first-team coach at a club that rivalled Toure’s City during his playing days – Manchester United.
Touré, who was in South Africa to launch FIFA’s Football for Schools programme last week, knows how massive the Manchester club is.
The former Ivory Coast captain said the appointment was a good step, not just for McCarthy but for African coaches.
“This is a good step. When Benni is done at Manchester United, he can bring back to the continent what he has been learning there,” Touré was quoted by City Press.
“I’ve been following his work coaching [Cape Town City and AmaZulu] in South Africa, and he has done great.
“Now he is at a top league in the world and around top coaches with a lot of experience.”
Toure’s elder brother, Kolo, is in a similar position, assisting Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City.
On the other hand, 39-year-old Yaya Toure is building his coaching career after being appointed as a youth coach by Tottenham Hotspur.
“We’ve been complaining a lot as Africans, and we have been maybe sitting behind the scenes and saying we deserve this and that or something,” said Touré.
“But the thing is, life is not easy. People make choices to decide whom they want to [employ]. If we, as Africans, continue to complain and think people will support us, we are wrong.
“When you get the opportunity, make the best of it and make sure that you can compete with the other European coaches. It means a lot to African coaches.”
The 44-year-old McCarthy has previously held head coach jobs at Cape Town City and AmaZulu, where he did well.
