By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has confirmed he will step down from his role after guiding South Africa to its first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout stage.
Speaking directly to Belgian publication Voetbalnieuws, Broos insisted his decision to step away from coaching is final.
“Will I continue as a coach after all? No, it is irreversible!” Broos declared.
“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.”
The 74-year-old says he is open to remaining involved in South African football, but in a different capacity.
He revealed that he has already held initial discussions with South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan, who is eager for the Belgian to remain closely involved with the national team setup in a high-level advisory capacity.
“I have already had a conversation with the chairman of the South African federation. He would like to keep me, but in a different role, as an advisor or something like that,” Broos said.
“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’ influence on South African soccer over the past five years has been significant.
He is in his fifth year of a Bafana revamp, which seemed impossible when he took over in May of 2021. Under tacticians such as Pitso Mosimane, Gordon Igesund and Stuart Baxter, the South African senior men’s national team was in a constant state of regression.