AS A FOOTBALLER he played in Holland, Spain, Portugal and England, winning countless league titles and a Champions League crown along the way.
But now former Premier League favourite and South Africa's all-time top scorer Benni McCarthy is taking on another challenge - in Northern Ireland.
The 40-year-old former Blackburn Rovers goal machine is currently in the region completing his Uefa Pro License.
McCarthy has been busy going through his badges as he looks to become a fully-fledged football manager and coach.
Already in charge at Cape Town City in his homeland, McCarthy has been linked with a move away from South Africa of late.
McCarthy's family live in Scotland and he has struggled with living away from them in Cape. He's also clashed with Cape Town City's owners over the management of the club.
Our head coach Benni McCarthy is spending the next few days over in Northern Ireland completing his @uefa Pro License!
All of the best coach! 🙏🏾💙#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/P40vH74lIq— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) May 2, 2018
Currently contracted for one more year, the Bafana Bafana legend could be seeking an opportunity a little closer to home.
A job in the UK or Ireland would therefore suit McCarthy, though no offers have yet been forthcoming.
One club that probably won't be giving McCarthy a call anytime soon, however, is West Ham.
The South African forward joined the Hammers in February 2011 and played just 326 minutes over the course of the year that followed, making three starts and scoring no goals.
He eventually left the club by mutual consent in April 2011 after agreeing to a payment of £1.5 million to have his contract terminated early.
Hammers vice chairman Karren Brady would later brand the forward a "big fat mistake" over the debacle.
McCarthy didn't let it lie either, responding: "It makes me want to throw up. There's the devil with a set of tits."
Something tells us he won't be turned up at the Olympic Stadium in London anytime soon.
