In Conversation with Benni McCarthy

Summary

In this inspiring interview, South African football legend Benni McCarthy reflects on his remarkable journey from the dangerous streets of Cape Flats to European success. He discusses his tough childhood, the pivotal role of his father, and the transformative impact of his mentor, José Mourinho. McCarthy's story is one of resilience, passion, and the pursuit of excellence, highlighting his achievements, including winning the UEFA Champions League and multiple Premier League titles across different leagues.

Takeaways

• 🏆 Benny McCarthy is the only South African to have won a UEFA Champions League title and has three Premier League championships to his name across different leagues and continents, showcasing an extraordinary and successful career.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Growing up in Cape Flats, a notorious area for unemployment and gang violence, McCarthy's strict father emphasized the importance of education and sports, which played a significant role in his development as a football player.
• ⚽️ Street soccer in Cape Flats was organized by gangs, providing a platform for McCarthy to showcase his talent and earn money, despite the violent environment.
• 🌟 McCarthy's talent was evident from a young age, and his father's permission for him to play in the gang-organized tournaments gave him exposure and a chance to be noticed.
• 💰 The prospect of earning a significant amount of money at a young age through football motivated McCarthy, which was a substantial sum compared to his mother's salary.
• 🏆 McCarthy's journey from amateur to professional football was marked by determination and the guidance of influential coaches, including a memorable stint with Ajax Amsterdam and later success with FC Porto under Jose Mourinho.
• 🔄 The impact of coaching changes in football clubs was profound for McCarthy, as it often led to shifts in team dynamics and playing opportunities, affecting his career trajectory.
• 🤝 McCarthy's relationship with Jose Mourinho was pivotal, providing him with a sense of belonging, confidence, and a platform to excel, culminating in winning the Champions League with FC Porto.
• 💪 His career was not without struggles, including racial prejudice and conflicts with coaches over fitness and weight expectations, which affected his performance and relationship with clubs.
• 🏠 Despite challenges abroad, McCarthy returned to South Africa to play for Pirates, aiming to restore his legacy and uplift the standard of professionalism in the local football scene.
• 👨‍🏫 As a manager, McCarthy aspires to continue his legacy by being successful, making a difference in players' lives, and breaking boundaries, with the goal of becoming the best manager South Africa has ever seen.

Q & A

Where was the interviewee born and what was his childhood environment like?

The interviewee was born in Cape Town in 1977 and grew up in the Cape Flats, an area notorious for high unemployment and gang violence.

What was the influence of his father on his life and career?

His father was very strict and emphasized the importance of education and sports, which led the interviewee to pursue football, where his talent was evident from a young age.

How did the interviewee's involvement in street soccer with gangsters begin and what was its impact?

The interviewee participated in street soccer matches organized by gangsters, which served as a platform for him to be noticed and also provided a living through the tournaments.

Outlines

00:00

🏆 Rise to Football Stardom Amidst Adversity

The speaker, born in Cape Town in 1977, recounts his challenging upbringing in the crime-ridden Cape Flats. Despite the harsh environment, his father's strict discipline and emphasis on education and sports, particularly football, set him on a path to success. He discovered his talent for football at a young age, playing in street soccer matches organized by local gangs, which paradoxically provided a temporary ceasefire amidst the violence. His father's approval to play for a local gangster, Eddie Adams, for a significant sum of money at a young age, not only changed his financial situation but also offered a platform to showcase his skills and escape the cycle of violence.

05:03

👨‍👧 Influence of Family and Early Career Milestones

The speaker's mother, Doreen, played a pivotal role in his life, ensuring he stayed focused on school and avoided the lure of gangsterism. His potential as a soccer player was quickly recognized, leading to a move to the national second division with Seven Stars at the age of 17. Despite initial setbacks due to his youth and inexperience, a new coach, Kevin Hunt, saw his talent and included him in the team, where he became the second-top goalscorer that season. This led to a call-up to the national under-20 team and participation in international championships, marking a significant step in his blossoming career.

10:06

🚁 Transition to Professional Football in Europe

The speaker's journey took him to Ajax Amsterdam, a move he had longed for, seeing it as a gateway to the European market. Despite initial culture shock and the harsh Dutch winter, he was determined to succeed. His impressive performance in a friendly match led to a contract with Ajax. However, a change in management and coaching philosophy led to his departure from Ajax. Undeterred, he moved to Celta Vigo in Spain, where he faced new challenges, including a language barrier and cultural adjustments, but remained resilient.

15:10

🤝 The Turning Point with Coach Jose Mourinho

The speaker's career took a positive turn when he joined Porto on loan and met coach Jose Mourinho. Mourinho's belief in his abilities and personal interest in his background reinvigorated his career. Despite initial struggles and a change in coaching staff, Mourinho's arrival marked a significant shift, with the speaker becoming a key player. Under Mourinho's guidance, Porto achieved remarkable success, culminating in a Champions League victory, which was a dream come true for the speaker.

20:10

🏆 The Champions League Victory and Its Aftermath

The speaker reflects on the euphoria of winning the Champions League with Porto, a moment that was both a personal and collective triumph. However, the joy was short-lived as Mourinho received death threats from fans, leading to a somber mood. Despite this, the team remained focused, winning the Portuguese league and cup. The speaker's mother's encounter with Mourinho and her gratitude highlight the impact the coach had on his career. Yet, the departure of Mourinho to Chelsea and the refusal of Porto to sell the speaker left him in a precarious situation.

25:11

🤔 The Struggle with Weight and Performance

The speaker's tenure at Blackburn Rovers was marred by a dispute with coach Sam Allardyce over his weight and fitness levels. Despite being in his ideal playing weight, Allardyce's insistence on a lower weight led to fines and a deteriorating relationship. This conflict, coupled with the club's refusal to let him join Chelsea, resulted in the speaker's decision to leave Blackburn and join West Ham. Unfortunately, an injury during his debut match at West Ham led to a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.

30:13

🔄 Return to South Africa and Legacy Restoration

After leaving West Ham, the speaker returned to South Africa to join Pirates, aiming to restore his legacy and address accusations of unpatriotism. He implemented changes in professionalism and mindset, emphasizing punctuality and dedication. His experience in Europe allowed him to contribute positively to the team's culture and performance. Despite setbacks in the national team, including issues with management and coaching choices, the speaker's commitment to excellence remained steadfast.

35:13

🛑 The Impact of Management on National Team Performance

The speaker criticizes the management of the South African national team, highlighting poor decisions in coaching selections and financial mishandling that affected player morale and performance. He recounts specific instances, such as the 2002 World Cup, where off-field issues distracted the team from their primary goal. The speaker believes that better management could have led to more significant achievements for the national team.

40:14

🤬 The Dichotomy of Aggression and Compassion

The speaker acknowledges his aggressive demeanor on the field, which starkly contrasts his off-field personality. He describes his transformation into a competitive and intense player during matches, which his wife and others find unrecognizable. This duality is part of his drive to excel in football, despite it being a characteristic that might not align with the sport's nature.

45:16

🏅 Aspirations and Legacy as a Manager

As a manager, the speaker aspires to emulate the success of Mourinho and other influential coaches he played under. He is committed to continuous improvement and making a positive impact on players' careers. Despite early successes, he is determined to break records and become the best manager South Africa has ever seen. His multilingual abilities and love for ice cream and chocolate add a personal touch to his profile, highlighting his aspirations and the pride South Africans feel for his achievements.

Keywords

💡Cape Flats

Cape Flats refers to a large, racially diverse area in Cape Town, South Africa, known for its high levels of unemployment and gang violence. In the video, the speaker grew up in the Cape Flats, which is a significant part of his background as it shaped his resilience and determination to succeed despite the challenging environment. The area's influence is evident in the speaker's story of survival and pursuit of a career in football.

💡Gangster leagues

Gangster leagues are informal football competitions organized by or involving gangsters, often with a high level of violence and crime associated. The speaker mentions playing in these leagues during his youth, which were a means of survival and a platform to showcase his talent. These leagues were a unique aspect of his journey to becoming a professional football player.

💡Education

Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and understanding through teaching and learning. The speaker's father emphasized the importance of education as a way to secure a future, despite the challenging circumstances of growing up in the Cape Flats. It is a recurring theme in the video, highlighting the value of learning and the role it played in the speaker's life and career.

💡Football talent

Football talent refers to the natural ability or skill in playing football. The speaker mentions that football was where his talent showed from a young age, and it became a significant part of his identity and career path. His talent was recognized and fostered through various opportunities, including playing in the streets and eventually joining professional teams.

💡UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations and is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport. The speaker mentions winning this title, which is a testament to his success as a professional football player and a significant achievement in his career.

💡Racism

Racism is the discrimination against individuals based on their race or ethnicity. The speaker discusses experiencing racism in Spanish football, where he faced prejudice and was treated unfairly due to his African heritage. This aspect of his career highlights the challenges he overcame, both on and off the field.

💡Coaching style

Coaching style refers to the methods and approaches a coach uses to train and manage a team. The speaker mentions different coaching styles he encountered throughout his career, from supportive and nurturing, as with José Mourinho, to those that were less favorable and even racist. These styles significantly impacted his performance and experiences as a player.

💡Professionalism

Professionalism is the quality of being a committed and skilled professional in one's field. The speaker emphasizes the importance of professionalism, particularly in his later career as a manager, where he seeks to instill discipline and a strong work ethic in his players. His experiences as a player, both positive and negative, have shaped his approach to coaching.

💡Management

Management refers to the administration of a team or organization, often involving decision-making, strategy, and oversight. The speaker discusses various instances of bad management in his experiences with the South African national team, which negatively impacted the team's performance and morale. This keyword is crucial in understanding the challenges faced by the speaker and the teams he was part of.

💡Legacy

Legacy refers to the lasting impact or reputation someone leaves behind. The speaker is concerned with his legacy as a football player and later as a manager. He aims to be remembered for breaking records, being successful, and making a positive impact on the players he works with, continuing the legacy he established as a player.

💡Mourinho

Mourinho, referring to José Mourinho, is a renowned football manager known for his success and distinctive coaching style. The speaker holds Mourinho in high regard for his influence on his career, particularly during their time together at FC Porto. Mourinho's mentorship and the success they achieved together are pivotal moments in the speaker's narrative.

Highlights

Benny McCarthy grew up in the challenging environment of Cape Flats, Cape Town, where he was influenced by his strict father to pursue education and sports.

McCarthy's talent in football was evident from a young age, participating in street soccer matches organized by local gangs.

He played for a local gangster's team, which was a way to earn money and gain exposure as a young footballer.

McCarthy's mother, Doreen, played a crucial role in ensuring his education and keeping him away from the negative influences of gangs.

At the age of 17, McCarthy was signed by Seven Stars, a team formed to represent the disadvantaged areas of Cape Town.

McCarthy's breakthrough came when a new coach at Seven Stars recognized his talent and made him a key player, leading to a call-up to the national under-20 team.

He participated in the Africa Youth Championship and the FIFA World Youth Championship, showcasing his skills on an international stage.

McCarthy's move to Ajax Amsterdam was a significant step in his career, where he had to adapt to a new environment and culture.

Despite initial struggles with the cold weather and language barrier, McCarthy found success at Ajax and became a fan favorite.

McCarthy experienced a change in fortune when a new coach at Ajax preferred a Dutch-centric team, leading to his transfer to Celta Vigo.

His time at Celta Vigo was challenging due to language barriers and cultural differences, but he persevered and eventually found success.

McCarthy's career took another turn when he joined Porto, where he excelled under the guidance of coach Jose Mourinho.

He played a pivotal role in Porto's journey to win the UEFA Champions League, showcasing his talent on the biggest stage in club football.

McCarthy's relationship with Mourinho was instrumental in his success, with the coach providing support and understanding.

Despite facing racial prejudice from some coaches, McCarthy remained resilient and continued to excel in his career.

McCarthy's move to Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League marked a new chapter, where he became a top striker and fan favorite.

His time at West Ham United was marred by injuries and disagreements with the coach, leading to a mutual termination of his contract.

McCarthy returned to South Africa to play for Pirates, aiming to restore his legacy and uplift the standards of professionalism in the local game.

Reflecting on his international career, McCarthy expressed disappointment with the management of the South African national team during major tournaments.

As a manager, McCarthy aspires to continue his legacy by being successful and making a positive impact on the players he coaches.

McCarthy's ability to speak five different languages and his love for ice cream and chocolate showcase his personality beyond the football pitch.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

meaning you're born in Capetown in 1977

and you grew up in the Cape Flats an

area notorious for high unemployment and

gangster violence how did you survive my

dad was very strict with us and he

wanted us to love what we do and that is

to play our sports and to be kids but

also to have an eye on our future and to

get an education and to study so

whenever myself or my brother or my

sister we would step out of line or try

and go down the other Road yeah we would

get a beating from him and that time it

was still normal that was what made me

really to pursue playing football

because I loved cricket I loved playing

rugby and football but football was

where I was the talent that showed from

a very young age you participated in

street soccer matches he played with the

gangsters involved with a regular

matches doctor buck I think that's how

that's how we made a living and I think

it was crime organized tournaments yeah

because they used to be so much violence

I think and most of them they love the

idea of they either played when they

were younger or but they just loved

football and that was so strange because

when they was fighting there was no love

between them and people were dying

innocent people and a lot of lot of the

gang members would fall but when it

comes to Saturday and Sunday there's

absolute silence and quietness and the

only screaming new year was from the

football because each and every big big

gangster a big merchant they had their

own football team and they won at the

best players

so they would go around the Cape Flats

collecting all the best footballers

young footballers who play for

professional clubs and they would put

them in a tea

just to get one up over on the next

gangster and and that's how it went I

used to play for this particular

gentleman called Eddie Adams known as

bok-bok American and yeah he he knew my

dad apparently knew my dad how I don't

know and my dad gave him permission that

I could play for him if if if he asked

me and I say yes then I can play for him

with my dad's blessings I wasn't too

keen about it but then when he said to

me yeah if you come and play for me

you win set and tournament he give me a

thousand bucks and I'm talking about 94

95 96 a thousand bucks for 14 13

year-old kid that's almost the salary my

mom made you know so that's a lot of

money so the money changed my mind but

it also gave me a platform for people to

to see me play football and and make

their judgement off of me and on your

way up when you get to the top you know

there's nothing that can really scare

you that much that you haven't seen when

you were growing up so so I think those

days of my life were met were

mesmerizing and memorable because that's

where I really learned to be hard to be

a football player and you've always been

very close to your mom Doreen well she

the determining factor to make sure that

you into school you did your homework

and you kept away from the gangsters

as much as I loved football and as much

as my mom was my everything she was she

was my rock you know I'm I was very

close to us she taught me everything I

know it's the most the most special

woman that I've ever met them the most

special woman that I ever have in my

life now that I have a wife they need to

share but of the love and my kids but

yeah I've got a bunch of women in my

life that that that means absolute world

to me and my mom is up there with your

potential as a top soccer player grew

very quickly in the Cape ages 17 Rober

seven stars lace on yarn and for two

years you play in the national second

division really good gentleman honors

guy in the industry which is very rare

that you find them in this industry but

he was I always wanted to own a football

team so I formed a board of franchise

from Port Elizabeth muda to Cape Town

move the chin younger instantly younger

because the Cape Town townships had

never had a professional soccer team and

we reformed seven stars and the seven

being symbolic of the seven major

townships of Cape Town so it was a team

really to showcase the talent from the

the more disadvantaged areas

historically of Quetta

I scored a hat-trick for my team so he

gave me somebody said please contact me

come to Charles for seven stars and we

would like to sign you and then

eventually I thought you know what maybe

this is a good opportunity for me to

leave all this because I'm getting older

now I'm I'm 16 I'm nearly 17 I can't be

playing this gangster leagues from for

13 14 15 years old now I'm becoming a

veteran at the league now so I need to

do honest be honest - an honest job and

a more safer job and I joined seven

stars and then coming there that

promised me the world and nothing

nothing happens so

I grew frustrated because for three

months I just trained and trained and

trained and they said I was too young

too small too inexperienced to play at

this level and it's grown man and it's

kicking and the coach got the sack

eventually because it is also bad and

they haven't won so then this young

rookie coach comes in new Kevin hunt

Kevin and comes in and his first day in

training and he shuffles things and says

the team has been playing play and man

non-starters against the first 11 so I

played out of my skin all I know you

know I had fun and ten minutes in he

stopped it and he asked the assistant

coach who's who's that suzana and it's

Benny but like that was the the whole

concept

it's just Benny and it's asking ya was

Benny has he been playing it since now

he's young boy 16 year old kid who's

arrived here from amateur football is as

well 16 year old kid that's better than

the rest of the team I want him in my

team and I ended up that season second

top goalscorer and after missing 11 or

12 matches of the season without playing

because I was too young too

inexperienced then when the new coach

Kevin hunt came in and he he set me free

unshackled me we musta cotta we finished

second in the liquid we didn't get

promoted to the PSL and yeah I got a

call up to Befana and to the under-20

national team which I thought was really

fun you know karate moment kid from from

Hanover Park Cape Flats the other day

dodging bullets are playing in the

gangster leaked and now you know

you're representing your country at

youth level so yeah I was proud of my

achievement 1997 he participates in the

Africa Youth Championship and also the

FIFA World Youth Championship you excel

the next thing we're off to iyx

Amsterdam the minute I saw an IAC's

Amsterdam cod I said to rob more that's

why I want to go because that's where

I'm gonna make it and that's where I'm

gonna I'm gonna get I'm gonna get thrown

into the European market

you know they I can showcase because I

think if there's any club that can grow

you and make you into a superhuman

player it's iyx answer them when it's

went over there you get slapped by her

you get slap at a code that you won't

even feel anything you know so as we got

off the plane that's exactly what I felt

and I said to my agent

Wow is this is this way I axis and he

says yep welcome to Amsterdam and I said

I'm not so sure now this is IX Amsterdam

is where I wanted to play because I've

never experienced cold like that before

and and I thought aiex Amsterdam was was

tougher and was a bit warmer and but we

just came made at the time when it was

winter was kicking in we went to the

stadium and I went to see the Amsterdam

Arena it was newly built and it was like

something our something from outer space

you know it was like a dome that when it

rains the roof closes and oh it was just

incredible to watch it now I couldn't

believe that if I said yes that will be

my home ground and I just wanted to get

away out of South Africa

I wanted to get out of an oval Park and

yeah I was given a god-given opportunity

to to go to iyx Amsterdam and play

football in and away from the gunshots

oh yeah that was my salvation and then

everything else must be a bonus so they

asked me to play a friendly match and I

think 15 minutes he made the coach took

me off just it's too good for this team

so yeah must have learned something good

playing in the gangster league you know

because if I was him I was able to

impress them in 15 minutes I've scored

two goals and I assist one and they just

loved what I saw they ask me what I want

I want to play football you know I want

if they think I'm good enough I wanted

to join IX but that would make it too

easy for them then they would get me for

peanuts really because if I'm I was too

too keen and too happy to come so they

could just say this 500 500 and take it

or leave it and then I would have taken

it because that's how desperate I wanted

to play for ayats and that's why my

businessman my business manager Rob

Moore he was he was the one that was

negotiating for me in and he he asked

him for me to step out of the meeting

and seven stars I was earning 1500 grand

a month which I was happy now I was the

youngest millionaire in South Africa and

as we were standing we're talking in him

I just sat down and I said what and he

says yeah you just became the youngest

Malini in South Africa and I said what

do you mean by the youngest millionaire

because for me I've never I've never

heard of millions five hundred bucks 200

bucks and

damn 1000 that was my caliber of what uh

you know a hundred thousands that is

like wow who even has that kind of money

Benny you were there for two years would

you say it was successful everybody at

the club loved me and vice versa all the

players I was really really really

really really like a like a Dutch

adopted you know and then there was a

change of culture that's always the big

problem in in in modern-day football

when there's changes of coaches every

coach comes with his own idea his

philosophy was he wanted the Dutch

regime back he wanted IX to be a Dutch

club back and a lot of the players that

we had good players started moving on

and obviously the coach called me in and

he said that he brought Brian Laudrup

the Danish striker from from Glasgow

Rangers I will become the number three

striker so I can say I fight for my

place which which I think I should have

done aiex already through the coach

instructions thought that if they want

to sell me they can sell me and he's got

his players that he wanted and I'm only

a backup player so yeah it was a bit

tough you know there are two great years

you won the league you have scored

plenty of goals and I fell in love with

the people with the city and and then

yeah new coach can change the regime and

then you find yourself again having to

start over you know and because of my

age and also you know he should have

probably advised me

to suck it suck it up because he knew

then I was that I was I was happy in

Amsterdam and I loved the day but he

said maybe a change was good and needed

England will always be there will always

get to England

you go from Spain to England that's the

route to go so there are you like it

Spanish football and learn a new

language and then I said ok then we

opted for south of ego and it must be

honestly it was ten times more money

then when I earned it

I asked financially yeah we were we were

also very well compensated in Amsterdam

everyone could everyone could speak

English it's the second language in

Spain there was not one single person

that could speak English and we didn't

know what to do I just have to agree to

everything so what people were telling

me I just shake my head yes yes yes not

knowing what it is some days I don't

even pick up for training because I

didn't understand training is at this

time and there and I say yeah yeah yeah

but si si si si ne comprenez si si si

next day I'm sleeping and a trainee said

see ya you're must raining you didn t

you didn't pitch you know so didn't get

off to a great start didn't get off to a

great start but I stuck it in I stuck it

in him

you know I say life life has its ups and

downs you you have to struggle somehow

and I guess Spain was way I'm gonna have

to struggle another pocket it's like a

walk in the park compared to what I went

through in Spain you know but stuck it

in there pack it in him because I never

gave up I got a lifeline and Porto came

he had two spells they in the second

spell 2003 for the pinnacle of your

career Porto were looking for

players to add because they also weren't

doing too well in the league so they

signed me up for a loan one season loan

so I went there and did it I did amazing

my first game

I scored I scored two goals to assist we

won the coach got fired but coach got

fired and I thought that brought me

there and then a new coach comes in

almost my age he looks like it was my

age

Geico gentleman coach Jose Mourinho and

he said he sent me scout to me to go and

watch me play it south of ego and he

loved me likes me a lot and he told the

club to get me because he knew he was

gonna he was gonna beat it so we made or

any plans in advance before he gets here

the players that he wants he wants do so

you know we had a nice chat

young young fella optimistic very

ambitious been almost 5 years in Europe

it's the first time a coach ever put his

arm around me you know and he says to me

nothing he knows those fools at south of

ego they were crazy not to play me he

knows of me watch me see me so he knows

what he's getting

and I'm his guy

everything that the team will do will do

it around you I'm your coach you my

player may I go you go okay but first

you got to do the business for me on the

field I said I can do that

I've been starved of football but I can

give it a go for uses that's all out

that's all I want you to do and then

yeah we had more chats you know he

wanted to know about my family you

wanted to know if my mom and dad was

around how many brothers are many

sisters and cousins and uncles and aunts

and if I have kids whose kids running

around or you know he wanted to know my

history my adventure where I come from

and I think it was the first time a

coach made me cry and I was flying under

the sky and wow I couldn't believe how

this guy could just open me up like that

and understand me and make me to just

play and on a consistent level like I

was getting better and better and better

and better and then we reached the end

of the season south of ego called me

back and Porter wants to buy me and no

no no boom and then I have to go back to

south of ego can you believe that and

the coach also had a problem didn't like

African players sure yep so now I was

facing no matter what I did was never

good enough for the coach because I was

African

and I realized that races is subjecting

in in in Spanish football you know with

my previous coach exactly the same thing

but he was he had a lid on it but with

the coach that was there when I came

back from Porto he was a bit more

straight more shows you and back at

Porter now again and him my big smile is

back and everyone is happy to have me

there nice to see me and the coach says

to me well I want to win the Champions

League and my mister that missing link

was you and that's why I fought tooth

and nails to get you back from me I said

she was could you make it more could you

make it more harder for me so I'm only

here because you want to win the

Champions League so now I owe you you

know and that was my relationship that I

had with him I snapped out of myself of

ego ordeal straight away the minute I

joined forces with Mourinho and he would

come we would speak and he would ask me

who's the best players for me to play

around you know he wanted to know who

won who I'm more comfortable playing

with and I was like my god I was a

reject in Spain and yeah in Porto I'm

idolized started looking like a champion

our Champions League dream was much

alive when we knocked out Manchester

United lovely fall back to our Lenny

chair who spins and find Benny McCarthy

Porto 11 deco dunno Valentich i cross

towards Benni McCarthy is a brilliant

goal from the South African McCarthy

strikes how it pops away people said it

was impossible and we did the impossible

and then from Manchester United we went

on to play Olympique Lyon in France we

brushed him aside like they weren't even

there and then the semi-finals we went

on to play Deportivo La coruña south of

egos arch-nemesis not a Spanish team

that I either hate it with a passion and

there was nothing more for me to see

them knock them out and send them home

packing after they had the most one of

the most incredible Champions League

matches they lost 4-1 to AC Milan in

Milan and they beat AC Milan for know in

Kiruna to overturn met that quota father

put the final class into the semifinals

oh yeah Deportivo La coruña was no

pushover but for me it was like going

against south of Vigo because they were

the Derby when I was at South that was

the table II met the guy Calle go Bobby

as they call it in Spain you know so

yeah we played Deportivo and it was a

tough match no no in Porto and then we

went to Corona

we dinner unbelievable typical Jose

Mourinho style football match

very solid very disciplined very

organized and we could one know we got

away with I came away with a one no win

and in the Champions League final Wow

we were we were out of of our heads the

celebrations when we came back to Porto

was crazy and Mourinho was just boys we

haven't achieved nothing yet it's not

done yet the hard part the hard work

only starts now so we all those

premature celebrations needs to come to

an end we still have a leak to win we

still have a Portuguese cap to win we

still have a Champions League final to

win so we're going for the treble and

then as we preparing preparing preparing

we receive some notice that Mourinho who

got some death threats from the Porto

fans because came out that he had signed

a pre-contract with Chelsea to leave at

the end of the season and the Porto fans

didn't appreciate or respect that you

know that he did that and then he was

going to abandon the team and he became

just very sad and we didn't know what it

was it we in the final of the Champions

League when the final of of the

Portuguese Cup and we've got two more

League games six more League games to

play but if we win two more League games

we win the league so I couldn't

understand like how how the fans could

even the bottle fans could even think of

doing something like that just because

it happens it's part of life you know

and yeah his messages become a little

bit different to us just to go out there

and win and play for ourselves and you

know wasn't the message that he started

with you know and we could see that

something was bothering bothering him

and he had certain players who we

confide in and ah I went to him and I

said am i sir you know that is

everything okay because he seems tested

and not the same and obviously then he

said Toby okay it's not our problem is

his problem analysis the extent to which

gone to what the fans have done and you

know so then we go to League games we

wonder to League games and we became

champions and champions of the

Portuguese league three Saturday we at

the Portuguese Cup and then the

Wednesday we have the Champions League

final in Gelsenkirchen so at the

Portuguese Cup was when you saw there

that the cultures worried for his family

the only one he just wanted to know his

family was and you know he is not so

focused on the tactical part of expert

of the aspect of the game and then we

ended up losing to our biggest rivals

Benfica we lost 2-1 we score one no

we're winning one no and oh happy days

and burn and loss of concentration boom

they score and then we go extra time

except I'm girls girls girls just before

penalties boom they scored again and to

one he was fine whoo so now everyone is

thinking three days later we play

Champions League final and we just lost

this final the local file to Benfica and

that's a nightmare my picture it was we

need a we need a leader we need our

coach you need to be and we know you

going through a difficult time but your

family will be fine but everyone that

you know dance we all care for you and

you the guided that made all this

possible for us so we need him to be

then I think that lifted him up a little

bit my pair my mum and dad was my mum

was there at the final with Rob Moore

my agent and my sister and my best

friend Percy Adams they all came to the

final and obviously saw my mom met

Mourinho and she told him just thank you

for what he's done for me you know I

always I always changed my life from

South of egos nightmare to person and

stole him so I'm encouraging you know

she said that he was he was the proudest

football coach that I've ever had she's

never been so proud of a football coach

because I don't stop talking about him

ever Marino Marini imodium aleinu

empathy does this mummy does that so

yeah so I think so him meeting players

families was was taking him a little bit

lifting him up and then he was back for

the team talked and gave his this Power

Ball team talk you know

we went out there and we killed for him

we killed we made a blue we made it look

too easy because even disrespectful how

easy that Champions League final was for

us

and once we wanted he thanked us and he

said maybe we'll work together in the

future he will come for few of us but

his day job these days is numbered he's

done his job and is gone and goodbye and

that was it I had a guy

[Applause]

who must have have african in his blood

because i was just the same as him the

next coach is gonna come in and it's

going to be anti african or this or that

or what activity excuse and I'm back to

square one

so ours I was hoping Moreno take me with

him and he actually did came for me he

did that he did try to buy me from Porto

but Porto was too but just put the

spirit that what happened with Marino's

departure to Chelsea and they say he

betrayed them by staying another season

then prematurely ending his contracting

him leading to Chelsea even though the

club got healthy like they got they got

paid a big bonus for Mourinho from

Chelsea millions you know and there was

no better so they didn't wanted to lose

the valuable players and I was

unfortunately one of the players who had

to stay and stick around to see my ex

coach from south of ego become a new

coach at portal

[Music]

you then joined Blackburn Rovers the

first year 2006-7 in the season is

called the second marriage goals in the

Premier League being even Wayne Rooney

from the office I was gonna make people

respect me you know I'm also my former

coach stole the coach at one of the

biggest clubs in the Premier League so

if I do well he stole my if so might

come in for me and there was always a

lot of gains more than losses you know

and at Blackburn I just I was just eager

and now was being coached by player that

I used to idolize because he played for

the team that I loved Manchester United

Marquess was my manager very soft-spoken

and he just wanted me to to help the

team be successful

you know rub off a little bit that we

added Porto to bring in to the team and

he allowed me to do whatever I wanted

the minute I started scoring goals

scoring goals I think the rest of the

team started to follow and they started

to realize that hey now we've got

ourselves as a top striker a guy who can

score goals from nothing so when we get

into position just give him the ball

that's all we do we play for this guy

and he'll deal with everything else

Marquess made everybody realize that

yeah I'm not a one-man band

aiex I was in the Champions League every

season south of ego we were in the

Europa League then we were in the

Champions League Porto every season

guaranteed before the leak even start

before we kick a ball we now we playing

Champions League football so I'm

accustomed to that and now I come to

England

I don't play your open league I don't

play Champions League so I want that

football back and if they don't give me

it I need to go to a club that can give

me so that's why I need to do well in

and that was my that was my mindset that

was my mentality so because I did

exceptionally well that season when

Mourinho did come coolly

even 1520 million pounds couldn't steer

me away from Blackburn Rovers they were

reluctant to let go they said I wasn't

for sale and I was fighting with the

club because they couldn't give me what

I wanted they didn't out their end of

the bargain they told me verbally that

if the money is right and if it's if

it's a team that plays Champions League

football and they can't hold on to me

then they will let me go they won't

stand in my way and we shook on it and

it's not that I said that I want to go

I'm happy to be this or I I was with the

football the goals that I scored for

them that was the way my way of repaying

him and I love the club I love the fans

I loved everything about Blackburn

Rovers but and it's I reached the stage

where I thought that I needed I needed

now to kick on like I did at Porto you

know and Chelsea gave me that platform

because it's a manager that I know very

well he knows how to bring the best out

of me at my worst times you know so

that's why I wanted so much to go and

play for for Chelsea and Joseph Mourinho

and it just couldn't happen it couldn't

happen

I mean st. Alard arise becomes manager

at Blackburn and you have your problems

with him he says your wife should be 80

kilograms you tell him your base weight

is 83 84 and he finds you often for not

getting to 80 kilograms mansueta came in

new investors new money big money and

Marcuse goes off the main city but they

didn't allow me to leave

you know and Sam Allardyce comes in cuts

at the club and topical topical times

I'm playing really well and we intend 10

position in the leak we cruisin we say

free one keep it allocated and now he

comes and he comes in and he says okay

his new way is is changing the dynamics

of the team and it once is very big into

the sports science the sports science

things and all the stuff you know and he

says penny your height is 1 meter 85 and

your weight is 83 84 all kilograms you

should be that your age you should be

between 80 and 75 and I said to him mr.

coach you matter what when I was playing

in South Africa I was 75 kilos how the

hell I must go on a poor man's diet and

not eat for two months for you for me to

be or go to that I must join that

program that into the jungle and you

have to survive on what you catch and

that for me to lose to get to the weight

that ideal weight that he thinks I

should be and I said it was impossible

and we do the biokinetics we do the the

weight stuff and and then it tells you

your height and what weight you should

be mine I'm perfect I don't know either

single change from iyx Amsterdam to

Celta Vigo I was 82 kilos 82 kilograms

and I've been 82 kilograms ever since

1882 ever since I reach Blackburn Rovers

and then the skull tells me I must be 75

between 75 and 80 kilograms

and it's something that's a target that

I'm never gonna reach and every single

month every week finds you twenty

thousand pounds per week per week boom

twenty thousand boom

twenty thousand upon twenty thousand end

of the month half my salary has been

taken - then I said wait a minute so I

go to him and I said are mr. odd I don't

agree with I don't agree with what he's

doing because that he's cheating me out

of my job and I was like nah this ain't

gonna work so I went to the club I said

yes you don't allow me to go to Chelsea

when I want to leave

I'm not happier and you made me stay

here you kept me here against my wall

and now you bring in a coach who's

firing me left right and center because

he wants me to be five kilograms lesser

than what I'm what I've always been and

I said it's impossible I'm not gonna be

there if he keeps finding me I'm not

gonna come to training they can do what

they they can do with me what they want

- I want pitch other sample following

week boom I get fine next day I don't

pitch up the training says it you take

mama now I give you a reason to take my

money six o'clock in the morning I was

in the gym and then at nine o'clock I

train with the team then I get home I

eat I sleep I go back to the gym my own

fitness coach I could not shed the

weight and when I got fine I just got

sick and tired and I stayed away I

didn't go to training so one day two day

three day a whole week passed they don't

see me so now I gave him reason to find

me and then Western came in for me

3,000 K and 11 and then I just said to

black but if you don't sell me you're

not gonna have me so just let me go

because I can't play for this coach

who's taking my money for nothing you

know

so our other leaf and then

they eventually let me go because I

wasn't coming to training but he lost at

one year at West Ham and then by mutual

agreement he parted company what went

wrong because of the continuous spiel

between that I had with Sam Allardyce

then it became a whole media thing in

the media and all that stuff and then

when I joined with them I was like the

big Saviour you know Western was in an

allegation and I joined with them with a

big reputation that was going to change

the club's position which I was you know

I was in the frame of mind you know I

just needed a change from Blackburn and

needed I needed to get out of that toxic

environment to get into something new

that I can focus on and that will get me

back on track how I've always done and

then injury hampered me my first my

debut game against Burnley one on one

with a goalkeeper

I go around him and as I as I flicked

around him I just heard my knee pop out

of position out of shape and I couldn't

balance on my foot and I tried to steer

the ball into the open net with this

foot and I could not do that as I kicked

the ball I just went down and I knew

something was wrong and obviously the

force of the ball wasn't too much for

the ball to go over the line

so they came clear the ball up the line

and put and then half time half am game

the doctor looked at me and he says

ligaments knee ligaments damaged I'm

gonna be out for at least a good while

so then

went to the doctors we had checked out

and then they said to me I'm gonna be

out for 10 weeks eventually we came to a

mutual agreement between a club and

myself that we terminate the contract

and we part our ways they got relegated

to the championship anyway and I I was

free to join any club of my choice

obviously I felt like I had still some

unfinished business in South African

football you know and I've got a legacy

I've got a legacy about the legacy for

myself and I wanted to uplift that

legacy so I'm coming back to Pirates

with maybe restore somewhat of that

legacy that I tried to build because

yeah it was a times where people said I

was unpatriotic

you know when I didn't want to play for

my national team for my country so now

coming to Pirates was to set the record

straight

[Applause]

scripts written tonight's McCarthy

and I did phenomenally phenomenally I

changed the players mindset because when

you play in Europe for all that time you

gain experience and you see how to do

things the right way and the

unprofessional way I wasn't gonna stand

by I got on two players backsides about

professionalism being on time being

early and doing the job that you paid to

do because people aren't paying good

money to come and watch us play

entertain them and we con we can't do

our jobs because we have drunk and we

have you know we are in a state where we

can't do that

[Applause]

so where to Tommy

it's so yeah those were small little

changes that when I came to pirates that

needed changing and I needed to come

from a teammate that needs to come from

someone who sees a dressing room with

you who wants you to be to enjoy your

football career and it comes from

someone who's been at the level then you

played in two World Cups 1998 2002 on

both occasions we never progressed into

called the second round

why bad management bad management I

would have to say because the end of the

day we had

we had the best players we're two very

strong national team very strong France

98 was probably the best path on our

team that we that we ever gonna have

sure

gauntlet McCafe Benni McCarthy is

South Africa and what a slap in the face

for Denmark

but we had a Frenchman Philippe

troussier

oh my god what a nightmare

so what did we expect you know that he

was going to work us that much to beat

France never in a millennia so why why

why suffer couldn't just go with the

coaches that gotta stay in the beginning

not mulatto Jomo so no Augusto Palacios

when we went to Burkina Faso we didn't

we come to the final when a team that I

never said that we would succeed with

young players a lot of young players and

the the biggest successes can pothana

has ever had 1996 they wanted with

experience their good coach they had a

very talented bunch Clive Barker had

unbelievable regime and then that regime

was finished then a new breed so they

taught for World Cup we need to look

respectable by having a foreign coach as

our as our head national team coaches so

the coaches that did a sterling job

qualifying us for the World Cup taking

us to the final of the African nations

cup isn't good enough to coach us at the

World Cup now I need a foreign guy to

come in to to pay big money first of all

and traumatize the nation even further

because that's what he did he

traumatized the players he was the worst

culture of ever had in a very long time

and I was not a big fan of his France 98

finish then it was Japan and Korea the

same that we had

qualifications qualifications African

Nations Cup we qualified and then they

want to bring in and in the protest

protest and then eventually they gave

Jomo Jomo solo the job but with the

lesser budget so we stood on the verge

of qualifying for the second round Spain

was our last game and we were one

o'clock two o'clock midnight 2 o'clock

2:00 a.m. in the morning we were having

meeting and the next day we play Spain

Wi-Fi confirm morning we were told we

get to the stage that's what we're going

to get that's the money that's paid to

everybody and now all of a sudden

three-quarters of that money is taken of

them they can only give us this and

everybody else's laugh then we're not

playing eventually they give in they

give us what we were supposed to get and

now we the show can go on

but now yeah you go to bed at 3 a.m. and

then the next day you playing Spain is

one of the best teams in the world you

need a draw only which we were well

capable of doing but players minds are

not right they are not switched on and

the mistakes that we made in that game

you saw exactly why we didn't qualify

for the next round because there was too

many other things that was going on in

the camp that people were not focused on

the football and you think at the World

Cup the biggest stage in world football

and we fighting for pity little things

that should have been shorted out prior

to it all you know and yeah so

so for me we've had the players with we

can't complain about the players that we

had 31st made quite important across

[Music]

that well really that is the player this

way to is number gets up between two

defenders does a good job getting to

that far for McCarthy's finishing it's

just I think bad management bad

management on how we select the coaches

bad management on how we deal with

players money and making sure that

everything is sorted out for the players

before they get to a big tournament so

that there's no issues raised at that

tournament that the players can go in

100% focus just on football nothing else

nothing else and they can't take on do

simple things like that meaning I was

spoken to quite a lot of people who

played with you and against you they

said of you on the field you could be

very aggressive and you hated to lose

and you often had a temper on the field

off the field soft the nicest person guy

always willing to help other people is

that been in my coffee

um that is me and I don't know I don't

know where I get it from a way comes

from even my own wife tells me when you

play football I don't know who's that

person that I see on the field because I

turn into this

thing she said yeah and then I become

the Incredible Hulk on the football

pitch which is very dangerous which is

very dangerous and I see I see green

I'm obsessed

um I'm obsessed with with just now I'm

up for the fight in him I want to back

out on a battle with everyone math

should I play the rock beat him because

that they need that energy in rugby not

in football football is a more gentle

you know yeah I'm I'm possessed when I'm

on the football field you know when it

get up it doesn't take too long to wind

me up

I'm very possessed but offered uh me any

since three thousand seventeen year now

the manager of Cape Town City you renew

early 40s what are your aspirations as a

manager

my aspirations as a manager obviously to

be successful as some of some of the

managers that I played under I think

because probably the biggest and most

important under there has to be chosen

Mourinho following not be like him just

the same career part that he's been on

you know grow from strength to strength

become a better manager every day make

it differently players lives make

players better than what they were when

you found them and now as a footballer

not anymore the legacy have stopped

there but now it continues so it's to

maintain continue with the legacy that I

bought for myself and meaning it's

breaking boundaries breaking records and

being the best at whatever it is that

that you do and that's what I want to

continue to do now as a manager work

exceptionally hard to continue that

legacy become the best manager South

Africa has ever seen you know and and

such an early stage I'm making good

progress because my club doesn't have

the biggest budget compared to other big

managers that success that you can have

when you have a free range of you can

buy any player at your disposal and that

the I if I have that opportunity I don't

think there's this I don't think anybody

would stop me any you speak five

different languages and I'm told you

can't say no to ice cream and chocolates

[Laughter]

ice cream

definitely chocolates yeah I can say

know depending on what chocolate cities

and I can say I can say no to them in

all five different languages that I

speak

and now that is that is my cravings love

ice cream

love strawberries and I love a chocolate

but it's got to be the right one for

penny

in conclusion here's 431 girls for

Befana know be in South African football

has ever come close to it

secondly you the only South African Jeff

won a UEFA Champions League title and

finally you the only South African to

have won three Premier League

championships three different leagues in

two different continents you've had an

extraordinary career very successful and

I'm sure all South Africans are very

proud of you I thank you that you give

very very much a absolute pleasure

sitting down with you

dr. Ali Pasha Thank you very

[Music]

you