Due to unpaid salary arrears, Engin Fırat stepped down from his role as the head coach of the Kenya national team, and South African coach Benni McCarthy has been appointed as his replacement.
After Fırat’s departure, the Kenya Football Federation (FKF) struggled to fill the vacancy for a long time, engaging in talks with several potential candidates. McCarthy was a highly sought-after name, and the federation fought until the end to secure his services.
The experienced coach had previously managed Cape Town City and AmaZulu. Additionally, he served as an assistant coach at Sint Truiden in Belgium and was a first-team coach at Manchester United under Erik Ten Hag.
McCarthy’s first task as Kenya’s head coach will be the World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Gambia. Kenya will also host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, marking the first time an East African country will take on this responsibility.
Expectations for McCarthy are high as the country looks to make strides in its football development during this period.
Furthermore, McCarthy will have the opportunity to work with Vasili Manousakis, whom he has chosen as his assistant coach. Manousakis recently parted ways with the South African club Cape Town Spurs and is now available, further strengthening McCarthy’s backroom staff.
However, not everyone is pleased with McCarthy’s appointment. Kakamega Homeboyz manager Francis Baraza criticized FKF for bringing in a foreign coach, saying:
“Bringing in foreign coaches shows that the federation does not trust us (local coaches). Why bring someone from outside when we have our own coaches who are equal to the task?”
“Look at our neighbors Tanzania – they are doing well with their local coaches. We should also emulate them. What will the new coach tell Kenyans if he loses his first match? He will say he is still new.”