Harambee Stars Boss Benni McCarthy Reportedly Targeted by Top Algerian Club

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy is reportedly a top candidate for the head coach position at Algerian top-flight club USM Alger.

Reports from Algeria suggest that the South African tactician is on a shortlist to succeed Abdelhak Benchikha, who recently parted ways with the club by mutual consent.

According to journalist Kadi Nazim, reported by the Kick Off, USM Alger are seriously considering the former Manchester United attacking coach for the role.

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Abdelhak Benchikha's tenure at the club lasted 24 matches, during which he secured 12 wins, nine draws, and three losses.

Benni McCarthy began his coaching journey as an assistant manager at Belgian side Sint-Truiden and Scottish club Hibernian. He transitioned into head management in 2017 with Cape Town City, where he successfully led the team to the MTN 8 trophy in 2018.

Following this, Benni McCarthy joined AmaZulu FC in 2020, guiding them to a historic second-place finish in the South African top flight and their first-ever CAF Champions League qualification.

In 2022, Benni McCarthy moved to the English Premier League as a first-team coach for Manchester United, specialising in attacking play under Erik ten Hag.

Most recently, in March 2025, the Bafana Bafana all-time top scorer was appointed as the head coach of the Kenya national team, the Harambee Stars.

However, Benni McCarthy has always been vocal about his coaching desires, noting that he would love to manage a club in Europe.

“I am up in Scotland right now, so who knows? 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. Ditto Celtic – if that job were to become available, it would be a dream job for any manager worth their salt,” McCarthy told Best Betting Sites in a previous interview.

“They are two massive clubs and if opportunities like that present themselves here, you will put yourself out there. But the likelihood of you getting it is mission impossible. But you can only hope. That’s the ambition of any manager or anyone that is working in football management; you want to get to the highest level possible.”

If the move to USM Alger materialises, Benni McCarthy would become the second South African coach currently managing in Algeria. He would join Rulani Mokwena, who is at the helm of rival club MC Alger.