Benni McCarthy expresses interest in managing former English Premier League champions
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Reading Time: 4min | Fri. 29.05.26. | 13:35
In recent months, the former South Africa international has been mentioned in connection with vacancies at the South African national team, Kaizer Chiefs, and reigning South African champions Orlando Pirates.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has publicly expressed his desire to take charge of former English Premier League champions Blackburn Rovers should the opportunity arise.
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Speaking in an interview with BBC Radio Lancashire, the South African tactician admitted he would return to Ewood Park "in a heartbeat" if offered the chance to manage the club where he enjoyed some of the best years of his playing career.
McCarthy, who scored 52 goals in 140 appearances for Blackburn between 2006 and 2010, made no secret of his affection for the club as Rovers continue their search for a new head coach.
The Championship side is looking for a permanent manager following the departure of Valérien Ismaël earlier this season.
Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill guided the club to safety after taking charge on an interim basis in February, but opted against taking the role permanently to remain with his national team.
That decision has left Blackburn weighing up its options ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, with McCarthy now throwing his hat into the ring.
"I love Blackburn Rovers, and I would put my life down that I would want that club to succeed so bad, to get them in the Premier League," McCarthy told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"And maybe that's what they need instead of always going for the tried and tested?
The decision-makers are always there to make those hard decisions, but if one day that call comes, I would be there in a heartbeat."
Since retiring from professional football in 2013, McCarthy has steadily built his coaching résumé. He began as a coach at Scottish side Hibernian before returning to South Africa, where he managed Cape Town City and AmaZulu.
The former Porto striker later joined Manchester United as first-team strikers' coach under Erik ten Hag between 2022 and 2024 before taking over as Harambee Stars head coach in March 2025.
Despite his growing coaching experience, McCarthy admits he may not possess the managerial pedigree of some candidates likely to be considered by Blackburn.
However, he believes football clubs must sometimes be willing to gamble on emerging coaches.
"I understand I'm a young manager, very fresh, new in this game, but then I look at it the same as playing football. Sometimes, when you have a talented young player, that's good enough. Are you going to take a risk? Vincent Kompany, they've given him a chance, and look what he's done.
He brought Burnley to the Premier League with an unbelievable season, probably one of the best Championship seasons that I've seen a team have. Then he's gone to Bayern Munich, and you see how he's doing. Very inexperienced coach, but when people believe in young people, they can exceed their expectations," said the Champions League winner.
The gaffer also highlighted the emotional connection he still shares with Blackburn, describing the Lancashire club as one of the most important places in his football journey.
"Porto always has a special place because of my achievements as an individual and as a team. Ajax Amsterdam is a special place because it was my first club that took me from Africa and gave me the platform to be in Europe. But Blackburn Rovers is where I was at home. That is where my family is, a nd there's nothing greater than that.
There's not a single thing that I wouldn't want to do to see that club succeed again. And if you have an opportunity one day to work there, I would lay my life on the line for that football club."
The 48-year-old acknowledged that Blackburn's hierarchy would face scrutiny if they opted for a relatively inexperienced coach, but argued that bold decisions can often bring the greatest rewards.
"They get scrutinised in the media for taking a risk on a coach who's never really coached in the Championship. But sometimes the reward is far greater than the risk."
It is not the first time McCarthy has been linked with a coaching role elsewhere since taking charge of Harambee Stars.
In recent months, the former South Africa international has been mentioned in connection with vacancies at the South African national team, Kaizer Chiefs, and reigning South African champions Orlando Pirates.