Benni McCarthy to leave position on Manchester United coaching staff

Benni McCarthy to leave position on Manchester United coaching staff
By Andy Mitten
Jun 27, 2024

Manchester United’s Benni McCarthy will leave his position as a first-team coach when his two-year contract expires at the end of this month.

The former South Africa international, 46, joined Erik ten Hag’s team two years ago soon after the Dutchman arrived from Ajax.

Prior to that, McCarthy, the former striker who played for Ajax, Celta Vigo, FC Porto and Blackburn Rovers among others, had been manager at Cape Town City and AmaZulu, where he was named the South African Premier League’s coach of the season in 2020-21.

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It’s understood that the lifelong United fan wants to be a manager again. McCarthy had a positive relationship with many of the United players and enjoyed his time at Old Trafford.

He was praised in his first year when Marcus Rashford returned to form, then criticised in his second season when United’s scored only 57 goals in 38 Premier League games.

He played a key part in the club’s two trophies in two years and leaves the club with their respect and thanks.

United intend to appoint two new coaches to replace McCarthy and Eric Ramsay, who departed to join Minnesota United in February.

The Athletic reported on Thursday that talks are advanced to add Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United striker, and current Go Ahead Eagles head coach Rene Hake to Ten Hag’s staff.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Ten Hag set for coaching staff reshuffle at Man United

(Photo: Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

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Andy Mitten

Andy Mitten is a journalist and author. He founded the best-selling United We Stand fanzine as a 15-year-old. A journalism graduate, he's interviewed over 500 famous footballers past and present. His work has taken him to over 100 countries, writing about football from Israel to Iran, Brazil to Barbados. Born and bred in Manchester, he divides his time between his city of birth and Barcelona, Spain. Follow Andy on Twitter @andymitten