Benni McCarthy rates his chances of managing in the English Premier League
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 02.12.25. | 11:08
McCarthy described the Premier League as the pinnacle of global football management, a demanding environment that he still yearns to test himself in
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has delivered a candid assessment of the prospects of managing in the English Premier League, admitting that while the ambition remains alive, the pathway to such an opportunity is “very slim.”
Speaking to an English publication, the South African tactician- and former Bafana Bafana striker- reflected on the realities facing black coaches in elite European football.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
McCarthy, who previously served as a first-team coach at Manchester United between 2022 and 2024 under Erik ten Hag, said coaching in the Premier League remains his ultimate dream, but one he believes may be difficult to realise.
“This will always be a dream. But really, I think it’s almost impossible,” McCarthy admitted.
“There is a very slim chance. But you have to keep dreaming and hoping, working extremely hard towards that because when you see people looking like me, there’s not a lot of us in management.”
His comments come in the wake of remarks by West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who recently acknowledged that he is privileged to be the only black manager currently leading a Premier League club.
Nuno took charge of the Hammers at the start of November, reinforcing the long-standing concerns about diversity in football management at the highest level.
“Nuno is probably the only manager that’s fortunate enough to be in such an honourable space,” McCarthy observed.
“But for the rest of us, we’ll continue to work hard and hopefully that opportunity one day comes.”
Despite the obstacles, the 47-year old gaffer emphasised the importance of perseverance, not just for his own career, but for future generations of aspiring black coaches.
“If it does not happen for me, we will fight so that the next generation gets better opportunities off the back of the sacrifices we have made,” he said.
“It will always be a dream to manage in the Premier League or Championship. It is the best league in the world. It’s the most exciting league.”
McCarthy described the Premier League as the pinnacle of global football management, a demanding environment that he still yearns to test himself in.
“It is tough. It is got everything. As players turned managers, you want to experience managing against the best teams and the best managers in the world,” he added.
“To test yourself, to really put yourself out of your comfort zone. That’s what we all strive to achieve. I will continue to fight for that and hopefully one day somebody gives me the opportunity to fulfil that dream.”
The former Blackburn Rovers and FC Porto striker earned widespread praise during his spell at 20-time English champions Manchester United, where he led the club’s striking department and played a key role in improving the club’s attacking output.
During his time at United,the former Celta Vigo talisman's impact was especially visible in the resurgence of Marcus Rashford, during the 2022-23 season, where the England forward enjoyed a career-best campaign, scoring 30 goals across all competitions as well as playing part in the club's success winning the EFL Cup (2023) and the FA Cup (2024).
.jpg)
