Speaking to the Sport24 website, Booth says Tovey is on “a hiding to nothing”.
“I wouldn’t have taken the job for any money in the world because it is probably the toughest job [aside from] Bafana coach," the former Mamelodi Sundowns star says.
“The structures at LFA [Local FA) levels are so poor that you cannot throw money at Bafana Bafana or the higher echelons of Safa and expect it to change … some of the structures are non-existent."
Booth adds that Tovey would need to “get rid of the people who aren’t in it for the good of the game” – another tall order.
While most former national team players, and many coaches have applauded Safa’s decision to appoint Tovey, the recently-formed South African Coaches Association has criticised the appointment of the former Bafana Bafana captain, arguing that Safa cut corners in the hiring process, and that Tovey is not necessarily the best suited man for the job.
Last year, Safa president Danny Jordaan attempted to persuade Stuart Baxter to accept the post of technical director, but Baxter – at the time still Kaizer Chiefs’ head coach – turned it down.