BENNI IN A NEW AREA?

Photos: BackpagePix By: Mihlali Baleka

A look at five teams that could potentially be keen on the current PSL Coach of the Season’s services.

DESPITE leading AmaZulu to the dizzy heights of the CAF Champions League in his first season, Benni McCarthy and the KwaZulu-Natal club parted ways recently.

IOL Sport football looks at five teams that could potentially be keen on the current PSL Coach of the Season’s services.

Orlando Pirates

McCarthy is one of the Buccaneers’ favourite sons and the club’s fans would welcome their once championship-winning striker with open arms.

The co-coaching pairing of Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids hasn’t quite worked out following the resignation of Josef Zinnbauer.

They are on course to miss out on all the local trophies this term. Africa also remains a jungle. That Pirates are in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup doesn’t mean they’ll win the continental trophy.

Kaizer Chiefs

McCarthy, who holds a Uefa A Pro coaching licence, has the pedigree to be at the helm of a club of Chiefs’ magnitude.

With Stuart Baxter being fired last month, Chiefs need a coach of McCarthy’s calibre as the players will fight for him and the badge.

SuperSport United

Bidvest Wits’ collapse in 2020 was set to reinvigorate SuperSport as a top-four team.

But SuperSport have failed in that regard under the guidance of the now-fired Kaitano Tembo, who had to rebuild the team from scratch after the seniors left.

But with the club said to be enduring financial difficulties, they’d have to give McCarthy time to rebuild the team. He knows about nurturing the next stars, having started off as a 17-year-old at Seven Stars under coach Gavin Hunt.

Royal AM

Take nothing away from incumbent John Maduka. He’s done a fantastic job. The fact that they have consistently been second on the PSL log is a feather in his cap.

But the newly-formed KZN club are an ambitious lot and should they dare achieve the improbable by qualifying for African football they’ll need a bigger figure at the helm.

They do not come bigger and better than McCarthy.

Owner Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize might not even have to sack Maduka. Instead, she may try to convince Maduka to work as McCarthy’s deputy.

TS Galaxy

The Rockets remain one of the most positive stories in the top flight, despite lacking experience. However, the change in coaching personnel this season has resulted in Galaxy sitting in the relegation play-off spot so far this campaign.

It may be wise to stick with Sead Ramovic for the closing stages of this campaign in the hope that he steers them to safety.

And it’s then that chairman Tim Sukazi and McCarthy could consider joining forces.

Former AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy during the 2021 CAF Champions League clash against TP Mazembe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

McCarthy celebrates a goal during his golden days at Buccaneers.