Benni McCarthy Makes It Clear When He Wants South Africa National Team Job

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has again commented on speculation linking him to the South Africa national team job.

The Bafana Bafana job will be vacant after the 2026 World Cup when veteran Belgian coach Hugo Broos steps down and the South African Football Association confirmed on Sunday that it will begin the recruitment process very soon.

That has put potential candidates on alert and McCarthy is among those whose names have featured prominently alongside the likes of ex-Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly boss Pitso Mosimane and Broos’ assistant Helman Mkhalele.

McCarthy admits the job is attractive and he cannot turn it down if the approach is made.

"I think a lot of people will be interested in the job to coach Bafana. But if I’m asked, of course I would. It’s my country. It’s the national team," McCarthy told KickOff Magazine.

However, McCarthy appears not ready for another national team gig immediately after his stint in Kenya, all but ruling himself out of the Broos succession race.

"So it’s a very good time to achieve things with this group of players, with the calibre and quality that they have," he went on.

"So, yeah, if the chance comes, I don’t see why I wouldn’t want to coach my national team. But maybe not the next job after the (2026) World Cup because I miss club football.

“For my next job, I would prefer to be in club football again...because there is too much time in between matches for the national team,” the ex-Manchester United first-team coach further stated.

McCarthy has a contract with Kenya until the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and has already indicated that he intends to head straight back to club football management after his spell with Harambee Stars.