Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has shared how he turned down approaches from America to take over Kenya which he feels is a ‘sleeping giant.’
New Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy says he turned down offers from MS clubs once it was clear that there was a chance to coach the Kenya national team.
McCarthy was unveiled in Nairobi on Monday after putting pen to a two-year deal and will succeed Engin Firat with hopes for a change in fortunes among Harambee Stars fans.
The South African legend admits it was hard to resist a chance to coach a national team which offers him a chance to make history with the East African country that he believes is a ‘sleeping giant.’
“I did have job interviews with other coaches and mostly it was clubs in the MLS but I think [Kenya] is a sleeping giant in my eyes,” McCarthy told Football Kenya Federation.
Benni McCarthy becomes Kenya’s head coach, aiming for World Cup qualification, citing transparency and a fresh footballing vision as key reasons.
“I looked at the project and it is a country that has a lot of potential, they have some really good talented young players that play abroad in Europe all over so if you have the right mindset and right mentality, you can do something special with the team.
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“When I spoke to the federation’s deputy president [McDonald] Mariga, they spoke to my agent and told him they are interested, and it is always nice to know that in your life every day, you go out to convince people why you are a good coach, why you are the right man for the job and with Kenya, it was a lot of respect from the federation’s side president Hussein [Mohammed] and deputy Mariga. “
McCarthy says he was taken aback by the respect he was shown by the FKF bosses, something that convinced him that this is the right job, and now wants to repay that faith by lifting Harambee Stars to greater heights.
“Their conversation was that they have a lot of respect and admiration for me and they think my mentality, mindset and story coming from Africa, moving to Europe at such a young age to survive and flourish under those circumstances is a story that Kenyans can learn from and take it one notch further,” he added.
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The details of Benni McCarthy’s contract, which is set to run until after the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations set to be co-hosted on home soil alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
“They felt I had all the equipment and right ammunition to help Kenya move forward and when you hear people talk like that about you, they want you two to put your names together and share the same passion and go out and do it.
“So, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity because it is not just a chance for me to become a coach but a national team coach and hopefully, achieve something no other coach has achieved for this national team.”
McCarthy’s first assignment will be the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against the Gambia on March 17 before a home clash with Gabon on March 24.
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Newly-appointed Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has opted to go with his own men on the technical bench and he is joined by an all-South African coaching staff.