Teko Modise is the professor of my team – Benni
Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy says Teko Modise feels appreciated by the club and that is why he is playing at the top of his game at the age of 35.
Muhsin Ertugral (head Coach) of Ajax Cape Town and Benni McCarthy (Head Coach) of Cape Town City FC in an altercation during the Absa Premiership match between Cape Town City FC and Ajax Cape Town at Cape Town Stadium on January 20, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Modise has won back to back Man-of-the-Match awards in the last two games for City.
“I’m playing him but with Pitso (Mosimane)‚ he was sitting in the stands‚” said Benni when questioned about Modise’s return to form.
“That’s the most important factor‚” added McCarthy.
“He feels loved‚ he feels wanted‚ he feels that that the team clicks when he is in the team. I embrace that.
“He’s in a much happier space‚ much happier environment and he is loved. You can see it every single game. He’s a leader out there‚ he doesn’t need to have the armband. He’s the professor of my team. I’m just privileged he is delivering the performances he is giving‚” enthused the rookie coach.
“The players know I am the way I am with him because he has achieved something. He’s got that respect from me and he’s giving it back.
“I try to be correct with everyone‚ honest and open and have good relationships. I don’t want players feeling scared and that they cannot talk to me‚” said McCarthy of his coaching approach.
“Because I played with Teko‚ I think I manage him a little differently. He is a brilliant professional. Never late‚ always on time‚ never miss training.
“When he feels he has a niggle‚ he communicates that directly with me. He has that respect for me and I think it’s vice-versa. Because he manages himself so well‚ I can trust that I can ask him‚ “hey‚ young man‚ how you feeling? You OK today? I know it’s going to be a tough game‚ two games in a row that you’ve played 90 minutes. Do you want to sit this one out? Or play?’ That’s the kind of relationship we have.
“I constantly make sure that he is OK. He is not a Cape Town boy. He’s from Joburg. Players know that I don’t (only) want performances out of them and to win games but that I actually do care about their lives outside football as well. I try and know all these things. I ask questions and try and have a bit of relationship‚” the City coach added.
