EXCLUSIVE: Benni McCarthy talks José, coaching and Northern Ireland
Benni McCarthy spent time in Belfast recently as part of the IFA's course to gain his UEFA coaching license. He spoke to Downtown/Cool FM'S Damien Edgar exclusively.
Last updated 24th May 2017
Benni McCarthy's career has taken him from the streets of Cape Town, to the historic environs of Dutch giants Ajax, from Champions League glory with Porto to a prolific spell at the then Premier League over-achievers Blackburn Rovers.
He has also made the move into gaining experience in coaching and management, with a spell as assistant coach at Belgian Premier League club Sint-Truidense in 2015.
Given that well trodden path, it shouldn't be strange to see McCarthy kitted out in IFA gear, but the fact remains that he brings a genuine sense of star quality with him to Belfast, such is his top level playing history.He was in the city with the IFA to take his UEFA Pro license.
He took time out to talk about his coaching philosophy, where he sees his post-playing career going, about Manchester United's chances in the Europa League final where his old manager José Mourinho leads them against his former club Ajax and to analyse where Northern Ireland find themselves at on the international stage.
On José and the Europa League final
"This will probably be the biggest game in his history at Manchester United," he said.
"They've obviously had a rocky season, he's managed to win a cup (the EFL Cup), which is not a bad thing, but it's not something to write home about.
"It's getting something in the cabinet, but it's not the start that most people expected from José Mourinho, the impact that he usually has when he walks into a club.
"I think here, he's got an opportunity to turn this 'awful season' that most people are saying it has been, into somewhat of a success with Champions League football.
"That will be his quest, so he can say, 'why are you criticising me? I brought Champions League football', which after Sir Alex Ferguson, they have not been used to.
"It will also give him an opportunity to challenge those players and say 'you show me that you deserve to stay at this club.'
"However, Ajax are a young team, one of my former teams, and they are fearless.
"They are a bunch of young players, they have no fear and they are looking to make their mark on the international stage.
"I think they are going to surprise a lot of people with the way they conduct themselves and the football they are going to be playing.
"People must not get complacent, but knowing José and knowing how he works, he will drill it into the Manchester United players that this could be the last game for some of them at the club.
"Winning that cup will determine who stays and who goes."
On the IFA/UEFA coaching course and management ambitions
"The stuff that I picked up from making the transition from player into coach, it feels like I have just become wiser overnight coming onto the course here in Belfast," he said.
"It has been a lot to take in to be honest, but it's been very valuable for my ambitions to be a manager.
"I want to lead, I want to be the one that's responsible for players and clubs.
"(laughs) I want to be the one that wears the bulletproof vest, the one that has to face the music.
"That sounds strange I guess, but that is management and that's where I want to be.
"There have been so many things to take on board, like the mental health of players, and even advances in sport science.
"That is probably not our strength, so when we have been taught about these things on the course, it makes you sit up and take notice, you really want to pay attention.
"To be able to know your stats and data and give your players clear information on what needs to be done to better their performances, that is what I find fascinating.
"Now I can get the information and use that to get the player to the place I want him to be at and to better affect his performance.
"That is why the course has been so valuable, because I know now about something that I didn't really bother that much about as a player.
"It's important that you rely on data, but not too much, so that you can get the best message across to the player."
On Northern Ireland's progress at Euro 2016 and beyond
"I think Northern Ireland getting out of the group stages was one of the highlights of the tournament," he said.
"It shows that if you do the research, prepare yourself properly and get your players to the level that they are supposed to be, you can achieve anything.
"People didn't expect NI to get through the group, especially with Germany there, and it was fascinating.
"They were very unfortunate not to go through to the quarter finals, as I think they had it in them to get through, it was just a little bit of inexperience at that time that held them back.
"I think that tournament experience will now have a massive impact though.
"The players will be able to handle high pressure, high profile games more readily though.
"It's a different kind of pressure, you're not just playing for yourself or your club anymore, you're playing for your family, for thousands of people in your country.
"It's superb, because they no longer have to be scared or intimidated by any opponents, as they have played in the big games against the big teams at a major tournament."