The ex-Bafana Bafana international has been unattached since leaving Cape Town City a year ago and had returned to Scotland with his family while he plans for his future – he had an interview with Hearts, but the Scottish Premiership outfit went with another candidate from a list of three earlier this year.
He was also earmarked for the Ajax Cape Town post in January, but it’s understood he turned it down.
Now, McCarthy immediately emerged as the favourite to take over at AmaZulu after his name was thrown into the hat last month at the time new owner Sandile Zungu was contemplating making a coaching change.
Ayanda Dlamini officially stepped down as head coach of Usuthu on Monday, fueling speculation that McCarthy would succeed him, though three other names – Eric Tinkler, Shaun Bartlett and Owen da Gama – were also bandied about.
McCarthy is expected to arrive back in South Africa in the coming days as Zungu has expressed a desire to announce the new coach ahead of their next DStv Premiership clash against Golden Arrows on Wednesday, December 16.
AmaZulu are currently in 11th-place in the standings after six matches, with one win, three draws and two defeats.
McCarthy played 80 matches for Bafana, scoring a record 31 goals for the national side.
STAY TUNED!#HebeUsuthu#UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/JsWeUZMBnw
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) December 11, 2020