In a stunning admission that has sent shockwaves through Scottish football, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has openly declared his ambition to one day manage Glasgow giants Rangers or Celtic, describing the potential opportunity as a “dream job” too big to turn down.
The former South African striker, who has overseen a notable upturn in fortunes for the Kenyan national team since taking charge earlier this year, is currently in Scotland and didn’t hide his admiration for the country’s two titans.
“I am up in Scotland right now, so who knows?” McCarthy teased during an interview. “I’ll definitely put my CV in for Rangers one day because that would be like managing Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Man United up in Scotland because that’s how big they are.”
He was equally effusive about the other half of the Old Firm, adding, “Ditto Celtic, if that job were to become available, it would be a dream job for any manager worth their salt.”
The 47-year-old coach, whose work with Kenya has seen them climb the FIFA rankings despite missing out on World Cup qualification, believes managing either club is the pinnacle for any manager operating in Scotland.
“They are two massive clubs and if opportunities like that present themselves here, you will put yourself out there,” he stated, acknowledging the fierce competition for such roles. “But the likelihood of you getting it is mission impossible. But you can only hope.”
McCarthy framed this lofty ambition as the ultimate goal for any football manager, concluding, “That’s the ambition of any manager or anyone that is working in football management; you want to get to the highest level possible.”
This public pitch throws his name into the speculative mix for future managerial changes at two of the UK’s most intense and high-pressure clubs, marking a bold statement of intent from the rising coaching star.
