Hugo Broos confirms decision to retire ‘final and irreversible’
Hugo Broos has confirmed his decision to retire as Bafana Bafana head coach is final, ending speculation that he could extend his tenure after South Africa’s historic FIFA World Cup campaign.
Hugo Broos has officially confirmed his decision to retire as head coach of Bafana Bafana is final and irreversible.
This follows despite emotional pleas from his players to stay following South Africa’s historic run to the World Cup's Round of 32.
The 74-year-old Belgian says he is ready to step away from the demands of active management.
Speaking to Belgian media, Broos declared his time on the bench to be over.
The decision to step away comes despite hints that he could reverse his decision to quit as South Africa coach.
"It is not clever to make decisions when you are disappointed, so I will not do it here," Broos said after the team’s World Cup campaign ended in the round of 32.
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Broos announced several months ago that he would quit football after a three-decade coaching career when South Africa were eliminated from the global showpiece.
"I want to spend more time with my wife, children and grandchildren," he told AFP in a pre-World Cup interview.
Broos has been credited with transforming South Africa from a team labelled a "joke" into World Cup qualifiers after a 16-year absence.
Broos then masterminded a historic World Cup Group A win over South Korea, taking South Africa to the knockout stage for the first time after first-round exits in their three previous appearances.
Broos said his team bowed out in Los Angeles after failing to match the power and speed of co-hosts Canada, who won 1-0 thanks to a 92nd-minute winner by Stephen Eustaquio.
"I have said many times that modern football is more than just technique. There is power and speed, and we do not have it in our team yet. Canada had those qualities," said Broos.
