Kenya boss Benni McCarthy has revealed a valuable lesson he learned from Dutch coach Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
McCarthy was recently announced as the new head coach of Kenya on a two-year contract. His new role is his first job since he left United in June 2024 following the expiry of his contract, during which he worked as the strikers' coach in Manchester.
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He was brought to Old Trafford by Ten Hag back in 2022 following a stint with AmaZulu in the South African top flight.
Admittedly, during his time at the club, the Red Devils found some success, as they won both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup across two seasons.
Additionally, McCarthy enjoyed some success working with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford, with the latter even enjoying his most prolific campaign in a United shirt after registering 30 goals and nine assists in 56 games in the 2022/23 season, as per Transfermarkt.
Things eventually fell apart, though, as Ten Hag was sacked by United four months after McCarthy left his role.
Speaking about his former senior, the South African revealed what he learned from the Dutchman.
"I was given an incredible opportunity to work with one of the biggest and best clubs in the world under the guidance of Erik ten Hag," McCarthy told BBC Sport Africa.
"I learned utmost professionalism because the manager I worked under was not just a disciplinarian, but he was the best and one of the most unbelievable professionals I've ever seen in the game.
"Extremely hard-working, very dedicated, very passionate, he planned on being the Manchester United coach for the next 10 years. That was his vision.
"Everyone is talking about how bad, how terrible Manchester United is.
"We still managed to win the FA Cup, we still managed to win the Carabao Cup. I was proud that I was part of that regime."
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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