Coach Hugo Broos finally confirms he is leaving South Africa job

Broos asserted ‌before the finals that he would be retiring, ‌but when South Africa lost to co-hosts Canada in ‌the last-32 on June 28 he was not ‌sure and said he might be tempted to stay.

There has been much speculation over what would happen next, but a decision that would see him stay on as head coach always looked unlikely. 

That is especially so as the South African Football Association confirmed that they are taking CVs for the position, and had even earmarked former coach Pitso Mosimane for a return to the role. 

In an interview in his native Belgium, Broos finally said he ‌would not be staying in the ⁠post but could ‌help as a consultant for the 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 something else. But football is no longer going to be a ⁠part of my ​life 24 hours a day,” Broos told voetbalnieuws.be.

“I have already had a conversation with the chairman of the South African Football Association. He would like to ‌keep me, but in a different role, as an advisor or something like that. I will return at the end of July to say a final farewell. I am curious to see what he will propose to me.”

Broos had been in the job for five years, becoming the country’s longest-serving coach and qualifying South Africa for their first ‌World Cup in 16 years.

“My wife is happy ​that I’m quitting, but she’s already warned me: ‘Just ‌make sure you don’t get in my way!’

“Suppose I have to be in South Africa for a few weeks every two months: why not? Better that than being a nuisance at ⁠home because I ⁠have nothing to do,” ‌Broos added.

Broos took over the side in May 2021 and has largely been viewed as a succes, qualifiying the team for back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations finals, where they won the bronze medal at the 2023 edition.

He was popular with rhe players and the key now will be who can build on the platform he has created, with Mosimane the favourite for a third spell in charge. 

He was a caretaker for Carlo Alberto Parreira ahead of the Brazilian's arrival in 2007, and then took over after the 2010 World Cup. 

In all, Mosimane has been in charge of the national side for 23 games, winning nine to go with 10 draws and four defeats. His teams scored 17 goals conceded only eight.