Benni McCarthy, the South African football legend, is set to take over as the head coach of Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, marking a significant chapter in his coaching career. Known for his prolific playing days, including being South Africa’s all-time leading goalscorer and a UEFA Champions League winner with Porto in 2003-04, McCarthy brings a wealth of experience to the role. His appointment follows the resignation of Engin Firat in December 2024, with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) identifying McCarthy as the ideal candidate to revitalize the team after years of underwhelming performances.
Reports indicate that McCarthy’s move to Harambee Stars has been in the works since late 2024, with initial contact made in December. While an official unveiling was initially expected earlier, delays have pushed his anticipated arrival in Nairobi to Wednesday, February 26, 2025, with a formal announcement slated for Friday. His first major assignment will be overseeing the team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March, where Harambee Stars are scheduled to face The Gambia away and Gabon at home. Additionally, he will lead the squad in the postponed 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN), now set for August.
Benni McCarthy’s Tenure with Harambee Stars: A Two-Year Commitment
Regarding his contract, multiple sources suggest that McCarthy has agreed to a two-year deal with the FKF. This contract length aligns with the federation’s immediate goals, including qualification for the 2026 World Cup and a strong showing at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host. The two-year timeline offers McCarthy a focused window to implement his vision while providing the FKF flexibility to assess his impact.
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Breaking Down Benni McCarthy’s Earnings as Harambee Stars’ Head Coach
Benni McCarthy’s salary with Harambee Stars represents a significant shift from his previous earnings. During his tenure as a first-team coach at Manchester United from July 2022 to June 2024, he reportedly earned around £40,000 (approximately Ksh6.4 million) per week, translating to roughly £160,000 (Ksh26 million) monthly and £1.9 million (Ksh305 million) annually. In contrast, his new role with Harambee Stars is said to come with a monthly salary of Ksh2.2 million, totaling Ksh26.4 million per year.
This figure, while substantial in the context of Kenyan football, means McCarthy will earn in a year what he previously made in a month at Old Trafford—a stark pay cut that underscores his decision may be driven more by ambition and legacy than financial gain. Notably, this salary is consistent with what he earned during earlier coaching stints in South Africa with Cape Town City and AmaZulu, suggesting a return to a familiar pay scale for a head coaching role.
Benni McCarthy’s Assistant Coaches for Harambee Stars
McCarthy’s appointment also includes plans for his technical staff. He is expected to bring two trusted South African assistants: Vasili Manousakis as his assistant coach and Moeneeb Josephs, a former teammate at Orlando Pirates, as the goalkeeper coach. Reports suggest one local Kenyan coach will also join the team, balancing international expertise with regional insight.
The move to Harambee Stars offers McCarthy his first opportunity to lead a national team, a challenge he has expressed eagerness to tackle since leaving Manchester United in June 2024. His track record as a coach, including winning the MTN 8 cup with Cape Town City in 2018, bolsters optimism that he can elevate Harambee Stars. However, the significant reduction in earnings and the pressure to deliver results in a relatively short timeframe highlight the high stakes of this project. For McCarthy, this could be a defining moment to cement his reputation as a head coach, while for Harambee Stars, it’s a chance to turn the page on past struggles with a high-profile leader at the helm.