Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy Hints Possible Exit Over Frustrations

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has hinted that he may rethink his future with the Kenya national team, saying the structure of international football makes it difficult for him to fully implement his coaching style.

The South African football legend, who was appointed in March 2025 by Football Kenya Federation on a two-year deal, admitted that while he has enjoyed his time working with the Kenyan national team, the limited time he spends with players has been challenging.

Unlike club football where coaches work with players daily, international managers only get short periods with their squads during official FIFA windows. McCarthy explained that he prefers regular training sessions, consistent tactical preparation and continuous player development—something that is difficult to achieve when he only gets about a week to train the team before matches.

Before joining Harambee Stars, McCarthy worked as a first-team coach at Manchester United, where he was part of the technical bench responsible for improving the club’s attacking play. He also previously managed top South African clubs, including Cape Town City FC and AmaZulu FC.

As a player, McCarthy had an outstanding career and remains South Africa’s all-time leading scorer. He is also the only South African footballer to win the UEFA Champions League, which he lifted with FC Porto in 2004.

Since taking charge of Harambee Stars, the coach has been involved in guiding Kenya through the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has also been working to rebuild the national team by blending experienced local players with emerging diaspora talent.

Despite describing his time in Kenya as “remarkable” and “enjoyable,” McCarthy’s recent comments suggest he is evaluating whether international football offers the level of daily involvement he prefers as a coach.

Benni McCarthy’s Salary at Harambee Stars

Reports indicate that McCarthy earns approximately KSh 8 million per month as the head coach of the Kenyan national team. His contract with the federation runs for two years, making him one of the highest-paid football coaches in the region.

His future with Harambee Stars will likely depend on how comfortable he feels working within the international football calendar, where time with players is often limited compared to the demands of club football.