Coach Broos confirms he is leaving South Africa job

Hugo Broos has confirmed he will step down as South Africa's coach, ending a period of uncertainty following the team's historic achievement of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time. The 74-year-old Belgian had initially announced his retirement before the finals but later expressed that he might be tempted to stay on.

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Will I continue as a coach after all? No, it is irreversible!

However, in an interview conducted in his native Belgium, Broos stated his decision to leave the coaching post is final. "Will I continue as a coach after all? No, it is irreversible!" he told voetbalnieuws.be. While he is stepping away from the day-to-day demands of coaching, Broos suggested he might be open to a different role within South African football.

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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.

"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," Broos explained. He revealed that he has already spoken with the chairman of the South African Football Association, who expressed a desire to keep him involved, possibly as an advisor or consultant. Broos plans to return at the end of July to finalize his departure and discuss potential future arrangements.

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I have already had a conversation with the chairman of the South African Football Association. He would like to keep me, but in a different role, as an advisor or something like that. 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's tenure marks him as the longest-serving coach in South Africa's history, having been in the job for five years. His leadership secured the country's qualification for their first World Cup in 16 years. Despite his wife's happiness about his retirement, she has already warned him against becoming a nuisance at home, suggesting that occasional involvement in South Africa could be a suitable alternative to full-time retirement.

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My wife is happy that I’m quitting, but she’s already warned me: ‘Just make sure you don’t get in my way!’