Former Blackburn Rovers striker, Benni McCarthy. (Image: PA)
Former Blackburn Rovers striker, Benni McCarthy. (Image: PA)
Benni McCarthy has revealed how his loyalty to Jose Mourinho cost him joining Manchester United with Blackburn Rovers blocking a move to Chelsea.
The South African striker was a huge fans' favourite at Ewood Park, scoring more than 50 goals in his time at the club.
Since retiring, McCarthy has forged a career as an attacking coach, working at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, his boyhood club.
He revealed how he could've played at Old Trafford but for giving his word to Jose Mourinho he'd join Chelsea. McCarthy worked with 'The Special One' at Porto previously and wanted to rekindle that relationship.
However, he claims Blackburn dug their heels in about a move to Stamford Bridge which cost him a move to Man Utd in the process.
"When I was at Blackburn, there was a chance," McCarthy told BetOnlinePromoCode.
"I think Mark Hughes had told Fergie a lot about me and my personality, how I am off the field. He’d want you to be good enough on the pitch, of course, but he wanted to know how I was outside football.
"The fact that I was a United fan, I was so tempted to jump at the chance to join United, but unfortunately it happened at the same time that Chelsea wanted me.
"For me, after everything at Porto, Jose Mourinho was just so special to me, the best manager I’d ever worked for. So for me, any chance to work for Jose would beat anything, even playing for my boyhood club.
"Unfortunately, my loyalty was ultimately with Jose, and he really wanted me at Chelsea, and so I dismissed everything, including United. Blackburn had always said they would let me go if it was United that came calling, but I’d focused it all on moving to Chelsea, and they wouldn’t sell to them.
"I’d spoken to Jose, I couldn’t betray him. My relationship with Jose was too special. I can’t say that if I’d gone to United that I would have succeeded. Who knows what would have happened? But my heart was with Jose, and it came at a big cost. I didn’t move to Chelsea and United didn’t happen."
McCarthy still holds fond memories of his time in Lancashire. He reiterated his desire to one day manage the club as he looks to start his senior management career.
"I’ve still got a great connection with Blackburn. There are still people at the club today who I know from when I was there," he said.
"They’re still a family club in some respects, so I would really see managing Blackburn as a phenomenal opportunity.
"I know the club and when I was there, we were successful in our battles against relegation. We were always in the top half of the league. Only under Paul Ince were we threatened with relegation, but Sam Allardyce came in and we finished 10th.
"I’ve got amazing memories with Blackburn. I love the fans. I was one of the players that was well received from the moment I walked through the door.
"I know the club are struggling at the moment out of the top flight for so many years. You wonder if they need to get a manager who really understands the club and what the badge means. Arte et Labore – art and labour. They need someone who will bleed for the club as manager. I would do whatever it takes to make sure the club can get back to where it belongs.
"Unfortunately, that’s not how things get done, and I think I’m very far from being considered, for whatever reason. It is what it is, it’s politics. We’ll never know, but it is one of my biggest desires. I’d love to manage my former clubs. Blackburn, Porto, Ajax.
"You always want to give back to the club that gave you everything as a player."