Rumors have been swirling about Benni McCarthy’s potential move to Kenya, with many wondering if he’s still on track to take over as the Harambee Stars’ head coach.

While the Kenya Football Federation (FKF) remains keen on bringing him in, financial troubles within the organization are putting the deal on hold.

Reports indicate that discussions between McCarthy’s representatives and FKF began back in December 2024, shortly after the resignation of Engin Firat.

Firat stepped down from the role, citing unpaid wages as a major reason for his departure.

Now, even though McCarthy has emerged as the top candidate, FKF’s financial instability is preventing his official appointment.

Financial Woes Are Delaying McCarthy’s Appointment

According to Pulse Kenya, negotiations between FKF and McCarthy’s team have hit a standstill, and the primary culprit is FKF’s severe financial crisis.

A recent report from the Transition Ad Hoc Committee revealed that the federation is currently burdened with a staggering Ksh 380 million (R54 million) in debt and is entangled in 21 legal disputes.

Before locking in McCarthy as their new head coach, FKF is trying to resolve these pressing financial issues to create a more stable working environment for the South African coach.

Is McCarthy Looking at Bigger Opportunities?

One key question remains—why would Benni McCarthy consider taking the Kenya job when other high-profile roles may be within reach? Having worked as a first-team coach at Manchester United, McCarthy has already been linked to top clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns and teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.

Some speculate that McCarthy could be eyeing an even bigger opportunity down the line.

With Hugo Broos currently leading Bafana Bafana at 72 years old, many believe McCarthy could be positioning himself as a strong candidate for the South Africa national team job in the future.

Time is Running Out as Kenya Prepares for World Cup Qualifiers

If Kenya wants McCarthy to lead their team, they need to act fast.

The March international break is right around the corner, and the Harambee Stars are set to begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign against The Gambia and Gabon.

Should FKF sort out their financial mess in time, McCarthy could be in charge for these crucial matches.

But if delays continue, he might just turn his attention to other opportunities.

For now, the football world is watching closely to see if this deal will materialize—or if McCarthy’s next move will take him elsewhere.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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