Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy Explains Why North African Giants Move Stalled

Benni McCarthy has confirmed that there was interest from USM Alger, but explained the factors behind his decision to continue his work with the Kenya national football team, Harambee Stars, for now.

At the time, reports from Algeria suggested that the Bafana Bafana all-time top scorer was on a shortlist to succeed Abdelhak Benchikha, who had parted ways with the club by mutual consent.

The reports further suggested that USM Alger were seriously considering the former Manchester United attacking coach for the role. However, they eventually decided to appoint Senegalese coach Lamine N'Diaye.

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Benni McCarthy acknowledged that there had been contact regarding a possible move involving USM Alger, explaining that representatives linked to the club had reached out and that discussions were held through intermediaries.

However, he indicated that although there was clear initial interest and significant speculation surrounding the situation, the matter did not progress to an advanced stage.

Benni McCarthy noted that developments in football can change quickly, with opportunities sometimes gaining momentum before losing traction just as fast.

He added that despite the attention the situation received, the potential move eventually faded without any formal agreement or concrete outcome being reached.

“Yeah, there was interest from USM Alger, and I had a few calls from people within the club and agents who work for the club, but in the end, you know how football is, one minute it's hot and then the next minute it just it swings the other way and fizzles out. So, it was a very hot rumor and there were some talks about it, but nothing materialised,” Benni McCarthy told Robert Marawa on the 947 Joburg show.

Benni McCarthy added that part of the reason the opportunity with USM Alger did not progress was that the club ultimately chose a coach who spoke French.

He said this presented a challenge for him because his coaching style relies heavily on direct, personal communication with players, allowing them to fully understand his approach and personality.

Benni McCarthy emphasised that having to convey his methods and character through a translator would make it very difficult for the players to truly connect with him, as much of the nuance and personal interaction is lost in translation.

He suggested that this aspect of communication is crucial for him to build relationships and influence the team effectively, and without it, the connection he strives for with his players would be significantly limited.

“And then I think they kind of went for a French-speaking coach, which for me was also a bit of an obstacle because I'm that kind of coach who wants to have man-to-man conversations with the players, the culture,” Benni McCarthy added.

“They must experience how I am, and then to do that via a translator is super tough. They don't get to experience who you are as a person because a translator is always translating for them.”

Benni McCarthy added that, in his view, several elements influenced his decision-making, as he carefully weighed his options before any potential return to club management.

He explained that he is eager to step back into the daily environment of club football, where he can work closely with players on a consistent basis, focus on their development, and be involved in the detailed, hands-on aspects of coaching.

Benni McCarthy indicated that he values the competitive nature of club management and the regular interaction it provides, saying that it allows him to implement his ideas more directly and engage fully in the tactical and personal side of the game.

He contrasted this with international football, noting that the limited day-to-day contact at that level does not offer the same opportunity to build ongoing relationships or influence players on a continuous basis, which is something he believes is central to his coaching identity.

“So they don't get the ins and outs. So yeah, there were a lot of factors that I kind of considered. I want to go back into club football, you know, I want to manage because I feel like I miss the day-to-day and making players better, working closely with them and yeah, just upsetting other coaches and other clubs. I love doing that, that's what I thrive on, so at the international level, you don't get to do that regularly,” he added.