Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has opened up about his future with the national team, revealing that his time in Kenya will be limited despite the high expectations surrounding his tenure. McCarthy, who took over the Harambee Stars job in March 2025, has made it clear that he does not see himself staying beyond his current contract, which runs until after the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The South African tactician, who previously coached AmaZulu, Cape Town City, and served as a strikers’ coach at Manchester United, explained that while he appreciates the opportunity to manage a national team, his long-term ambition lies in club football.
“I am a young coach and still new at this. This is my fourth job as a manager. I want to learn and better myself,” he said, indicating that the national team job, although prestigious, does not offer the daily involvement he craves.
McCarthy emphasized that he thrives in an environment where he can work with players every day something the international calendar does not allow. According to him, coaching at national team level feels more suited to a later stage in his career, not now when he is still trying to grow and learn as a coach.
“Maybe when I’m 70, I can come back to manage a national team, but right now, I am too young to commit to this kind of job for 10 years,” he explained. “I want to return to club football, where I can pass on knowledge to players on a daily basis.”
Despite this, McCarthy remains focused on making his time with Harambee Stars a success. He knows that guiding Kenya to notable achievements during his stint could be key to unlocking high-level club management roles in the future. He’s particularly keen on taking charge of a club that competes for major domestic and continental trophies.
As Kenya prepares for AFCON 2027, which it will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania, McCarthy’s short-term commitment and experience are expected to be crucial. However, fans may need to accept that his chapter in Kenyan football is likely to be a brief, yet potentially impactful one.
