I woke yesterday to the news that Benni McCarthy had been sacked as Cape Town City coach. The first thought that came to mind was: ‘Yeah, I didn’t think they would fire him now but I understand where Cape Town City is coming from. I mean, they have had a shitty start the season.’

Commiserations poured in on the internet from the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane, his now former player Kermit Erasmus, and Arsenal legend Ian Wright.

Wait a second, did someone die?

Don’t get me wrong, I loved Benni McCarthy as Cape Town City coach. From his attacking football, to his touchline gesticulations (or lack thereof), to his post-game interviews with quotes like this: “They [referees] all look nice, with their OUTsurance kit. But that was the best thing about the performance out there, the beautiful green and purple kit.” Him being unemployed even gives him a chance to replace Rhulani Mokwena at my Orlando Pirates. Benni is a young wealthy man who just lost his job, it isn’t that big of a deal. 

As into continued into the wormhole that is the world wide web. I found articles in which it was claimed that Benni McCarthy and Cape Town City owner John Comitis had beef. This is apparently the reason he was axed. 

Baden Gillion of the Sport24 said the publication “has it on good authority that the decision by the club to part ways with McCarthy is rooted in a series of hostile bust-ups behind the scenes with McCarthy and owner John Comitis amid a long-standing feud over how to take the club forward in search of success.“

I cannot dispute the legitimacy of what was happening behind closed doors. But, football is a game of results and when things aren’t going well the coach is the first to go. Cape Town City are 13th in the Absa Premiership table having won only one of their first nine games. This bad from extends to last season where they only three victories its 18. Benni and Comitis may have not seen eye to eye but not winning games made the situation worse.