Benni McCarthy formally appointed as new Harambee Stars coach
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 03.03.25. | 16:29
The 47-year-old will be incharge of the national team heading to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations
Former South African international Benni McCarthy has officially been appointed as the new Harambee Stars head coach.
McCarthy, 47, was unveiled by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in a colorful ceremony in Nairobi on Monday 3 March, ushering in a new chapter for the men’s national football team.
McCarthy, who boasts of having won the UEFA Champions League trophy in his playing career, comes in as a permanent replacement for former coach Engin Firat, who resigned late last year.
"I am honored to take on this role and excited about the journey ahead with the Kenyan national team," McCarthy said in his introductory speech.
"I have studied the talent in this country, and I believe there is immense potential to compete at the highest level."
McCarthy comes in with a loaded technical bench, which will include Vassili Manousakis as assistant coach, Joseph Moeneeb as goalkeeper coach and Pilela Maposa as performance analyst.
Ladies and gentlemen, the new Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy is here. pic.twitter.com/09RMvwG9AH
— Meshack Kisenge (@kisengemeshack1) March 3, 2025
The highly experienced quartet signed a two-year contract with the national team, and is expected to see them incharge in the lead up to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
FKF President Hussein Mohammed noted that the selection process leading up to McCarthy’s appointment was "rigorous," but ultimately landed "with the right person to lead our national team forward."
"His experience, vision and commitment to developing Kenyan football aligns perfectly with our ambitions," Mohammed said of his first managerial hire.
"We (FKF) believe this team will instil tactical discipline, structure, and a winning mentality as we prepare for upcoming competitions."
Up first for McCarthy and his team will be to lead Harambee Stars in the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon in March, before focusing on a home African Nations (CHAN) tournament in August.
Benni McCarthy managerial career
McCarthy, a former English Premier League player for Blackburn Rovers and West Ham, transitioned into coaching in 2014, starting as a youth team coach at Scottish side Hibernian, while assisting the senior team.
He then moved to Belgian club Sint-Truiden, initially as an intern and later as an assistant coach.
It was at Sint-Truiden that McCarthy completed his coaching licenses, paving his way into full-time jobs.
In June 2016, McCarthy took over as head coach at Cape Town City FC in South Africa, where he went on to win his first silverware as a coach - an MTN 8 Cup in 2018.
A rough run of form - two wins in 18 games - saw McCarthy dismissed from Cape Town in 2019, leaving him to take over at South African Premiership club Amazulu in December 2020.
There, he the side to a second-place finish in the Premier Soccer League—their best-ever league result—and qualification for the 2021-22 CAF Champions League, which they ultimately exited at the group stages the following season.
McCarthy’s last stop was at Premier League side Manchester United in 2022-2024, where he served as first-team coach.
