New Pretoria Callies striker Siphelele Mthembu has explained what his former coach Benni McCarthy demands from his players in order to succeed on the field of play.
McCarthy and Mthembu previously worked together both at Cape Town City and AmaZulu.
In July, the Cape Town-born, McCarthy was appointed Man United’s first-team coach after being unattached for three months following his departure from AmaZulu.
Reporting to the manager Erik Ten Hag, McCarthy specialises in “coaching attacking plays and positioning” at the English Premier League club.
The former Kaizer Chiefs forward, Mthembu says McCarthy deserves to be on a global stage because of the qualities he’s shown in the early stages of his coaching career.
SIPHELELE MTHEMBU ON BENNI’S DEMANDS
“I wasn’t surprised at all that he went to Manchester,” Mthembu said during an interview with FARPost.
“He demands professionalism, discipline, how you live and how do you eat.
“He interacts with the youngsters, he looks at all those dynamics.”
Mthembu says he was fortunate to be mentored by McCarthy, who was a lethal striker in his playing days.
He believes that he made him understand his position better.
“That guy is a legend,” he added.
“He doesn’t want anything from you but your good work ethic, discipline, high-press, occupy those defenders, and hold the ball.
“If I have to score, I score, if I don’t, I must assist. If I don’t score or assist, I must make the team tick.
“He’s one of the best coaches I’ve had. That guy was like a brother to me,” added the striker.
As a coach, McCarthy has won the MTN8 title with Cape Town City and guided AmaZulu to a second-place finish in the 2020/21 Premiership campaign, helping the club secure their first taste of continental football, the CAF Champions League.