South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has ended speculation over his future, confirming that he will step down from the role after leading the team to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time.
The 74-year-old Belgian had announced before the tournament that he planned to retire, but after South Africa’s last-32 defeat to co-hosts Canada on June 28, he admitted he was unsure about his next move and suggested he could consider staying on.
However, in an interview with Belgian football website Voetbalnieuws.be, Broos confirmed that his decision to leave the coaching role was final, while leaving the door open to a possible advisory position with the national team.
“Will I continue as a coach after all? No, it is irreversible. If they need me for something else, perhaps in scouting, that is a different matter. But football will no longer be part of my life 24 hours a day,” Broos told Voetbalnieuws.be.
Broos added that he had already spoken with the chairman of the South African Football Association, who was keen to retain his services in a different capacity.
“He would like to keep me, but in another role, as an advisor or something similar. I will return at the end of July to say a final goodbye. I am curious to see what he will propose,” he said in the interview.
Broos spent five years in charge of South Africa, becoming the country’s longest-serving coach and guiding them to their first World Cup appearance in 16 years. Under his leadership, the team achieved a historic milestone by reaching the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time.
Reflecting on his retirement, Broos joked that his wife was pleased with his decision but had one condition.
“My wife is happy that I’m quitting, but she has already warned me: ‘Just make sure you don’t get in my way!’ If I have to spend a few weeks in South Africa every two months, why not? That is better than being at home with nothing to do and becoming a nuisance,” he added.
