Cape Town City sack Champions League winner McCarthy

Pulse News Agency International by AFP 18:46 - 14 August 2024

Benni McCarthy watches Cape Town City playing Mamelodi Sundowns in the South African Premiership this year

UEFA Champions League winner and record South Africa goal scorer Benni McCarthy was sacked Monday as coach of top-flight strugglers Cape Town City.

McCarthy, 41, has battled during his third season in charge with City winning only one of nine league matches and making early exits from two knockout competitions.

The poor league run has left Cape Town 13th in the 16-club Premiership, 14 points adrift of pacesetters Kaizer Chiefs.

City said in a statement that "Cape Town City Football Club has terminated the employment of coach Benni McCarthy with immediate effect".

Assistant coach Vasili Manousakis has been put in charge for a league fixture against Polokwane City in Cape Town Wednesday.

Former Ajax Cape Town coach Muhsin Ertugral, a Turk who has coached numerous South African clubs, is considered a frontrunner to replace McCarthy.

McCarthy helped Jose Mourinho-managed Porto win the 2004 Champions League and also played for Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, West Ham United and Blackburn Rovers.

He scored 31 goals for South Africa in a 15-year international career, including four in a 1998 Africa Cup of Nations group match against Namibia.