sportskeeda
Benni McCarthy, the ex-coach of AmaZulu, has revealed that he chose to turn down the chance to rejoin the club, despite having led them to an impressive second-place finish in the league during his tenure.
McCarthy expressed that while he enjoyed his time at AmaZulu and valued his relationship with the club’s management, he felt it was time for a fresh start.
Declaring that “the ship has sailed,” McCarthy is actively seeking new opportunities, including options within Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, where he mentioned having taken part in three interviews.
Once he landed in the country last month for analysis work on SuperSport TV covering UEFA Champions League matches, speculation arose about a possible return to Usuthu.
This speculation followed the firing of Spanish coach Pablo Franco Martin, who presided over three consecutive losses at the season’s outset.
After McCarthy opted against the position, Usuthu appointed Vusi Vilakazi and Arthur Zwane as co-coaches.
“The chairman [president Sandile Zungu] reached out to me, and I had a discussion with Manzini Zungu regarding the possibility of returning,” McCarthy shared.
McCarthy, who served as Usuthu’s coach from December 2020 to March 2022, guided the team to a historic second-place finish in the 2020/21 season, marking their highest achievement in the PSL era.
At the conclusion of that season, he was named PSL Coach of the Season, having led Usuthu to accumulate more points than Mamelodi Sundowns, the eventual league champions, during his time there.
“I’ve moved on; I felt my period at AmaZulu was remarkable. I valued it, enjoyed it, and had a strong relationship with the president – Sandile Zungu. Collaborating with Manzini Zungu was rewarding as they genuinely made me feel like the head coach,” he reflected.
“There was no interference. They allowed me full control over the team, enabling me to apply my own system and engage in candid discussions about my requirements. If it resonated with the president’s vision, he would support me.”
“This fostered an ideal relationship; a chairman appoints a coach, and that coach is accountable for the team’s success without external pressure to change player selections or strategies, which created a conducive working environment. This was pivotal in attaining what we accomplished at AmaZulu.”
Despite his achievements, McCarthy encountered problems. He pursued higher-quality players to challenge Sundowns and contend in the CAF Champions League following the team’s outstanding second-place finish, but his requests were not met.
“With success comes obstacles,” he noted.
“The chairman and the club aspired to compete for the title, but without investment, that goal is unfeasible.”
“You wish to drive a Ferrari, yet you give me a Fiat Uno or a Corsa engine – how can that function? Sundowns are equipped with Aston Martins and Lamborghinis while I’m supposed to perform with a Corsa! I require the appropriate resources to compete. The club wasn’t prepared to invest in the players we needed as we geared up for CAF competition – the CAF Champions League – with merely the squad that finished second.”
McCarthy underscored that the team which secured second place in his debut season had maximized its potential and required revitalization.
“Those players were exhausted, and we had reached their limits,” he said.
“Without new talent coming in, setbacks were bound to occur, leading to challenges. The second season displayed significant differences compared to my first, precipitating issues.”
“The club considered this as a problem, potentially believing it would be better for someone else to lead the team to further success than I could.”
“I wish them the best and hope they can exceed or at the very least, maintain the level we reached, although history indicates otherwise.”
Under McCarthy’s leadership, Usuthu has not replicated that level of success, failing to secure a top-eight finish in the last two seasons.
“When you have a valuable asset, you should invest in it and protect it,” he advised.
“It was not out of reach. It wasn’t that I envied what Sundowns had; I sought practical enhancements and what we could afford to stay competitive. Without that, it’s easy to speculate that someone else might be more fit for the role.”
“We shook hands and parted on good terms. I still have respect for the club’s president, but when you realize a significant mistake was made, it’s often too late; the chance is gone.”
“Afterward, I transitioned to Manchester United as a strikers coach, and at that moment, a return to Usuthu did not pique my interest. Unfortunately, it was not the suitable project for me at that time, which is why I politely declined.”
