Former Manchester United forwards coach Benni McCarthy has firmly dismissed speculation suggesting he was offered the Mamelodi Sundowns coaching role. The 47-year-old South African, who is currently in his home country as a Carling Black Label Cup ambassador, explained that a recent meeting with Sundowns sporting director Flemming Berg in Europe was purely casual and unrelated to any potential coaching job.
Chance Encounter Sparks Media Speculation
Benni McCarthy Clarifies Rumours About Mamelodi Sundowns JobMcCarthy recently crossed paths with Berg during a chance meeting in Europe, which quickly sparked media speculation about his potential move to Mamelodi Sundowns. However, McCarthy was quick to clear up the misunderstanding, addressing the issue during a media interaction.
“I love how you [media] put that so nicely, ‘we met for tea,'” McCarthy joked, adding that the encounter was simply a “bump-into-each-other-at-the-airport” moment. “It was just a general conversation. We recognized each other and talked about football, nothing more,” he clarified.
No Talks of Coaching Role at Sundowns
The conversation between McCarthy and Berg focused on their shared experiences in European football, as Berg reflected on his time working for Chelsea as an international scout while McCarthy was playing for FC Porto. McCarthy made it clear that at no point was the possibility of him joining Sundowns discussed, either from Berg’s side or his own.
“We talked about modern football, South African football, and a lot of general topics. There was no suggestion from either side that this could lead to anything professional,” McCarthy stated. He further emphasized that there were no implications of a collaboration with Sundowns, debunking the rumors that had emerged following their meeting.
Benni McCarthy Clarifies Rumours About Mamelodi Sundowns JobMcCarthy Sees No Need for Coaching Changes at Sundowns
One of the most common rumors that McCarthy sought to address was the idea that Sundowns might be looking for a new coach to replace Manqoba Mngqithi, despite his continued success with the team. McCarthy, who has previously coached Cape Town City and AmaZulu in the PSL, expressed his opinion that Sundowns are in a stable position and do not need to make any changes to their coaching staff.
“They made the decision with the coaches that they have, and they are doing well,” McCarthy said, referring to Mngqithi and his assistants. “I don’t see why they should interfere with that just because I’m no longer at a club. Being available doesn’t mean that I’m looking for any job or that they should make a change.”
He reiterated that the current coaching staff is performing admirably, and there’s no need for Sundowns to upset their setup unless a significant issue arises.
Benni McCarthy Clarifies Rumours About Mamelodi Sundowns JobMcCarthy’s Coaching Philosophy: Seeking the Right Challenge
McCarthy also took the opportunity to discuss his own ambitions as a coach, explaining that he is not simply looking to take any job that comes his way. He emphasized that he wants to pursue opportunities that align with his long-term goals and offer a genuine challenge.
“I want a challenge. If it’s the right project for me and it fits with the club that’s interested, then those are the challenges I want,” McCarthy explained. “I’m not desperate to just go into any job for the sake of wanting to coach.”
This statement highlights McCarthy’s strategic approach to his coaching career, one that values meaningful projects over taking on a role just to stay active in the profession.
Benni McCarthy Setting the Record Straight: No Interest in Sundowns Job
McCarthy’s message was clear: the rumors about him being linked with Sundowns were completely unfounded. His encounter with Flemming Berg in Europe was merely a casual discussion about football, and there was no professional agenda behind it.
“I’m not desperate to just go into any job,” McCarthy reiterated, underscoring that the right opportunity, with a club whose goals align with his own, would be the key factor in his decision-making.
For now, McCarthy remains focused on his ambassadorial role with the Carling Black Label Cup and is not entertaining coaching offers unless they meet his specific criteria. The former Bafana Bafana striker is content with his current situation and, for the time being, is not considering a move to Mamelodi Sundowns.
In conclusion, McCarthy has successfully put to rest the speculation surrounding a potential move to Sundowns. The meeting with Berg was nothing more than a chance encounter, and McCarthy is not currently looking for a new coaching role unless the project is the right fit for him.
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