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Former Blackburn and South Africa striker Benni McCarthy has revealed Erik ten Hag wanted to be Manchester United manager for a decade, describing his former boss as an “unbelievable professional”.<\/b><\/p>\n
McCarthy, 47, who was appointed as Kenya’s new head coach<\/a> this week, worked as a first-team coach under the Dutchman for two seasons.<\/p>\n Ten Hag, who took charge at Old Trafford in April 2022, was sacked by United<\/a> in October.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “Extremely hard-working, very dedicated, very passionate, he planned on being the Manchester United coach for the next 10 years. That was his vision.”<\/p>\n Despite the premature end to Ten Hag’s reign, the pair did enjoy success during their time working together at the club.<\/p>\n United collected two domestic cup titles, while the poaching know-how in front of goal of McCarthy – who is South Africa’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 31 – helped Marcus Rashford enjoy his most prolific season, finding the net 30 times during the 2022-23 campaign.<\/p>\n “Everyone is talking about how bad, how terrible Manchester United is,” added McCarthy.<\/p>\n “We still managed to win the FA Cup,<\/a> we still managed to win the Carabao Cup.<\/a> I was proud that I was part of that regime.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n