Benni McCarthy is a well-known South African ex-footballer and is currently the coach of the Kenya National Team. He previously worked as a coach for the South African side, AmaZulu, and as an assistant coach at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.
Benni McCarthy’s Age
Benni McCarthy was born on the 12th of November 1977 in Cape Town, South Africa. He is 47 years of age and usually celebrates his birthday on the 12th of November.
Early Life
Benni McCarthy was born in Cape Town into the family of Dudley and Dora McCarthy. He grew up in Hanover Park, which was prominent for unemployment and gang issues.
Benni McCarthy comes from a family passionate about football; his older brother played for Kaizer Chiefs, and his younger brother played at Franklin Pierce University in the US.
He started playing at a local club known as Young Pirates. Benni McCarthy proceeded to join the Crusaders before earning his first contract at the age of 17.
Career
Footballing Career
Seven Stars
Benni McCarthy was signed by Seven Stars at the age of 17. He officially started playing when he turned 18 and recorded a goal in 29 games in the 1995/1996 season.
Benni McCarthy became a different player when he scored 12 goals in 20 games, which resulted in a transfer to Cape Town Spurs.
Ajax
In 1997, Benni McCarthy was impressive at the African Youth Championship and the FIFA World Youth Championship.
Following his performance, he earned a big move to Ajax in the Eredivisie, where he scored nine goals and won the league in his debut season.
After a successful 1998/1999 season, Benni McCarthy was sold to Celta Vigo and became the most expensive transfer for a South African.
Celta Vigo
Despite being considered one of the best Africans, Benni McCarthy couldn’t earn a permanent place in the team.
After two years of poor performance, he was loaned to FC Porto in Portugal.
It was there that Benni picked form while playing under Jose Mourinho. After being eliminated from the 2002 AFCON, he helped the team to a third-place finish, qualifying for Europe and scoring 12 goals in 11 games.
He returned to Celta Vigo for the next season and remained a bench player before being sold to Porto on a permanent deal.
Porto
Benni McCarthy was instrumental for FC Porto in the 2003/2004 season. He won the Golden Boot while scoring 20 goals in 23 matches in the Primeira Liga.
Benni McCarthy was a key player in Porto’s UEFA Champions League triumph, which saw the team win a European trophy after an extended period.
Blackburn Rovers
In 2006, Benni McCarthy earned a move to English side Blackburn Rovers after passing his medicals.
He scored on his debut at Ewood Park against Everton.
Benni McCarthy was a success at the club and finished as the second-highest goal scorer in the league with 18 goals, scoring 24 in all competitions.
The 2007/2008 season spelled doom for him due to injury, but even with limited game time, he scored 11 goals.
Benni McCarthy recorded 52 goals in 140 games for the club before leaving.
West Ham United
In 2010, Benni McCarthy earned an undisclosed fee transfer to West Ham. Unfortunately, he was injured and sidelined for some time.
Due to limited game played and no goals to his name, Benni McCarthy was offered a payoff of £1 million, and his contract was terminated.
Orlando Pirates
After leaving West Ham, Benni McCarthy returned to South Africa and signed a two-year deal with Orlando Pirates. He scored on his debut and helped the club regain the league title.
Benni McCarthy ended the season with 10 league goals while helping the team to a treble. He made his retirement from football on the 6th of June, 2013.
International Career
Benni McCarthy is a well-known player for the South African National Team and made his debut in 1997.
He was a joint top scorer at the 1998 African Cup of Nations with seven goals and was named player of the tournament.
At the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Benni McCarthy was part of the team and scored their only goal in their group stage game against Denmark.
Due to some conflict, he retired from the national team in 2002 but made his return in 2004. He later retired after becoming the South African with the most international goals.
Managerial Career
After retiring from football, Benni McCarthy dived into management.
Hibernian
In 2015, Benni McCarthy joined the coaching staff of Scottish side Hibernian. He was invited to learn and understand the coaching aspect of football.
He worked with Alan Stubbs, a fellow ex-Premier League player who used to play for Everton.
Sint-Truiden
In 2015, Benni McCarthy had a short internship at Sint-Truidense. He was later appointed as the assistant manager and worked with Chris McLoughlin.
During this time, Benni was working on his coaching badge.
Cape Town City
In 2017, Benni McCarthy was unveiled as the head coach of South African side Cape Town City.
He completed his UEFA Pro License while managing the team and won his first trophy the following year.
In 2019, Benni McCarthy was ranked after a run of poor performance that saw the team record only two wins in 18 games.
AmaZulu
In 2020, Benni McCarthy was announced as the manager of AmaZulu. He succeeded with the team as they finished second in the premiership and qualified for the 2021/2022 CAF Champions League.
After two years with the club, Benni McCarthy decided to part ways.
Manchester United
In 2022, Benni McCarthy was appointed as part of Erik ten Hag’s team of coaches at Manchester United.
After the expiration of his contract in 2024, he decided not to renew, citing his desire to return to being a head coach.
Kenya National Team
In 2025, Benni McCarthy was unveiled as the Kenya Football National Team coach.
Family
Benni McCarthy has been married twice; his first was in 2004 to Spaniard Maria Santos, and they had three daughters before separating in 2007.
The second was in 2014 to Scottish model Stacey Munro, and together, they have a daughter and son.
Net Worth
Benni McCarthy has an estimated net worth of $16 million.