Ever since the Afcon tournament came to an end, there have been numerous rumours that Hugo Broos could be preparing for an exit from Bafana Bafana. Quite often, when it comes to this sort of talk, there often isn’t smoke without fire.
According to leading Tunisian publication Mosaïque FM, there is increasing evidence to suggest that the Belgian coach is set to take over at the helm of the Tunisia national team.
This report also comes after other suggestions – according to HLN, as per iDiskiTimes – that Broos had received an offer to join Club Brugge as Technical Director.
However, it would make sense for Broos to rather take up a national coaching gig as his next move if he is to leave Bafana Bafana, and there are growing whispers that the experienced coach could tender his resignation after their FIFA Series match against Algeria on Tuesday.
Bafana must make a move for Benni McCarthy if Broos leaves
There is no doubt that Bafana Bafana will want to move quickly if they have to find an unexpected replacement for Broos, but the good news is that there is a clear candidate who will soon be available – namely, Benni McCarthy.
As previously reported on the South African website, there are whispers that McCarthy is on his way out of Manchester United, and his agent has already conceded he will be a free agent after June.
Many South Africans will of course clamour for McCarthy to return to South Africa, and Kaizer Chiefs fans will undoubtedly hope to see him head to Naturena at a time when Amakhosi are looking for a new permanent coach.
However, it simply would not make sense for McCarthy to move from an international powerhouse club such as Manchester United to a domestic team in south Africa.
If he wants to keep his career on an upward trajectory, the 46-year-old needs to remain part of prominent international gigs, and an opportunity with Bafana would surely be a perfect fit.
Besides the experience he has gained overseas, McCarthy is a bona fide Bafana legend, and would be a hugely popular figure among the playing group.
He is an incredible man manager, but also boasts an incredible football brain, as recently highlighted by Man United striker Rasmus Hojlund, who credited McCarthy helping him reignite his scoring form.
“You could say that we have found each other better. We have had some forwards meetings with Benni McCarthy, where we talked about things,” he told Danish outlet BT.
“It wasn’t just me and two others, it was everyone from the front line who attended the meeting. And we talked about playing each other [in] well and helping each other, because that’s the way we will get the best results.
“We saw some video clips, and then there was reference to the fact that, here and there, some things should be done better. We could see that and then we have carried it out on the field, in training and matches.”
KEEN TO ONE DAY LEAD SOUTH AFRICA
The 46-year-old recently highlighted his dream to coach the national team in the not too distant future.
“Listen. I don’t want to be Hugo Broos’ age when I take the Bafana job!” Benni told iDiski Times.
“I want to be able to still have the energy that I have. I want to be present for my players. And you know how vocal and how animated I am? The fire is burning even more so. Because of the fact that South Africa has never qualified for the World Cup since 2010, or technically 2002! And that ghost is haunting me.
“So the more we’re not involved in world football at the big stage, the more that is saying to me, ‘I think maybe it’s time to push the button on taking the national team’. Because I know I have what it takes.
“I can help our national team qualify for the World Cup. And not just qualify for the World Cup, but going far! Going through the group stages and doing what Morocco and Ghana have done at previous World Cups.”
