Benni McCarthy has explained why he opted to join Kenya as national team coach despite offers from elsewhere.
McCarthy was unveiled as new head coach of the Harambee Stars on Monday during a glossy event in Nairobi.
The South African tactician had been without a job since his role as Manchester United striker’s coach at the end of last season, but revealed he had other opportunities, before the Kenya role came up for him.
“I did have a few job interviews for jobs where you go with others coaches, mostly was with MLS clubs in the US,” he told FKF TV.
“Then this came back. I think it’s a sleeping giant in my eyes. I looked at the project and it’s a country that has a lot of potential.
“They have some really talented players who play abroad in Europe, all over. With the right mindset, mentality, you can do something special for the team.
“When I spoke to the federation, deputy president Maliga, he spoke with my agent and told him they are really interested and it’s always nice to know that… You in your life, every day you go out to convince people why you are a good coach, why you are the right man for the job.
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“With Kenya it was an opportunity, there was a lot of respect from the federation side, the president and the deputy president – their conversation with me was with a lot of respect and admiration for me and my mentality, my mindset and my story – coming from Africa and moving to Europe at such a young age, to survive and flourish under those circumstance, is a story that Kenyans can take from and then take it even further.
“So, they felt that I had all right equipment and ammunition to take Kenya forward and when you hear all that about you, they make you want to put your name together with theirs and share the same passion.
“So, I thought it was the perfect opportunity because it’s not just an opportunity to become a coach but to become a national team coach and hopefully achieve something that no other coach achieved with this national team.”
