Benni McCarthy has received the backing of Edmilson Dove for the Kaizer Chiefs job as the pressure on co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil ben Youssef intensifies.
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Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove has backed Benni McCarthy as a leading candidate for the top job at the club, adding his voice to growing calls for the former striker to be considered at Naturena.
McCarthy, South Africa’s all-time leading scorer and a UEFA Champions League winner, has been consistently linked with a return to the PSL in a high-profile coaching role.
His previous success with AmaZulu, as well as his experience on the coaching staff at Manchester United, has strengthened his credentials, with many viewing him as a coach ready for a club of Chiefs’ stature.
Dove, who played under McCarthy at Cape Town City, did not hold back in his assessment. Speaking on the SoccerBeat podcast, he said McCarthy has “the ability to handle a club such as Kaizer Chiefs” and described him as “one of my favourite coaches I have had over the years”.
He added that McCarthy is already at the required level, noting that he has “the same qualifications as all those other coaches who have been at the club”, even if he did not go into further detail. While acknowledging that the final call rests with the club, Dove made his stance clear.
“I think the club researches what they want, and obviously, at the end of the day, that is a club’s decision,” he said, before delivering a firm endorsement: “But I’m one hundred per cent sure that he has what it takes to lead Chiefs.”
Dove also pointed to McCarthy’s character as a key strength, describing him as a great coach and “a very honest person”. In his view, that honesty is crucial in a football environment, where players need clarity and direct communication.
“I think we need someone in life or football who is going to be honest with you and tell you things as they are,” Dove said, adding that McCarthy fits that mould. “If given a chance, I think he can do the job.”
Chiefs, meanwhile, continue their search for stability as they look to return to the top of South African football. The club’s next appointment is expected to be a significant one, with pressure to deliver results and restore a winning identity.
Dove’s endorsement, rooted in first-hand experience, reinforces the case for McCarthy as a coach capable of meeting those demands.
IOL Sport