Bafana Bafana record goalscorer Benni McCarthy’s appointment as a senior team coach for Manchester United has received mixed reactions on social media.
He becomes the newest member of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff as he begins his tenure at the helm of the Reds. The Cape Town-born coach’s primary focus will be coaching strikers.
Some fans have questioned whether he has the pedigree to coach the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, while some have relieved some of his best moments during his 14 years in Europe.
He played for Ajax, Celta Vigo, Porto, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham as his career took him from the Netherlands to Spain, Portugal and England.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the appointment.
SkySports journalist Melissa Reddy replied to a tweep who was asking if the 44-year-old has held a similar role elsewhere: “He’s been an assistant manager in Europe, manager in South Africa (2020-21 Coach of the Season) and turned down the national team job. He has his UEFA Pro License and has spent time learning from some top managers. Widely liked and respected.”
Luthando Zibeko tweeted: “Wow! So happy to see Benni joining his favourite Club. It was a dream for him to don the jersey, and he gets a chance now to write his own story, working with all the top people at Old Trafford. I wish you & your family all the best, Magic Feet, Benni WabaNtwana.”
Popular YouTuber Mark Goldbridge, famous for his fan channel, United Stand, tweeted: “Welcome, Benni! South African Red are going to love this appointment.”
South Africa’s Shakes Rampedi’s tweet read: “If you saw how his football career was… If you saw how quickly he got his badges… If you saw what he did with Cape Town City and AmaZulu… Then you will know how ambitious Benni McCarthy has always been . Still scoring goals after he retired .”
Stephen Daly recalled the South African’s brace that “created Mourinho” on 25 February 2004: “His last-minute winner vs us, created Mourinho. They were out 90th minute, Tim Howard clanger, Mourinho touchline, then Mourinho to Chelsea next year; how different would football have been if it wasn’t for Benni’s goal?”
Paul Mandima, a Manchester United fan from Zimbabwe, said: “I’m elated; it’s deserved. Seeing Benni appointed as a first-team coach is not a surprise; it’s by merit. Look at what he achieved with AmaZulu, taking them to the CAF Champions League. He was one of the most prolific strikers to ever come from Africa. This is exciting news to have Benni being there. It’s not only big for Benni. It’s big for African coaches and says you can make it as a coach from Africa.”
Pombs5 tweeted: “Former player under Mourinho that won the champions league with Porto and one of Africa’s greatest players.”
Sizwe Luthayi shared how the Cape Flats-bred coach won the MTN8 Cup with Cape Town City a few seasons ago: “Won the MTN8 with Cape Town City. He took AmaZulu from a relegation-threatened club to qualifying for the CAF Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. All this without a great budget. Has now obtained UEFA Pro License. How’s this jobs 4 mates?”
Viiro14 hopes Manchester’s young forwards will benefit from the ex-Bafana goal poacher: “I hope the likes of Elanga and Rashford will be scoring goals for fun.”
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