South Africa coach tells critics to shut up

Hugo Broos, the coach of the South African national football team, has told critics to remain silent regarding his tactical decisions. Following a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their World Cup opener, where the team adopted a defensive approach and had two players sent off, Broos faced an outcry over his strategy.

“

I've been a coach for 40 years and I know it's a part of the job that you will be criticised. So for the moment, I'm criticised but people have to know … and for those who still don't know it … I do it my way.

"I've been a coach for 40 years and I know it's a part of the job that you will be criticised," Broos stated at a press conference. "So for the moment, I'm criticised but people have to know … and for those who still don't know it … I do it my way." He added that he disregards "the trash of the social media" and criticism from those he deems unqualified.

“

I never listen to the trash of the social media. I never listen to people who feel they are important enough to criticise the team. When I look back at what they achieved before I think it should be better that they shut up.

Broos acknowledged that mistakes were made in the first game, but he stressed that the players are aware of them. "I know what went wrong against Mexico. The players know it and that's the most important thing and for the rest I will do it my way," he reiterated. The veteran Belgian coach emphasized the necessity of a victory against the Czech Republic on Thursday to keep South Africa's hopes of advancing alive.

“

I know what went wrong against Mexico. The players know it and that's the most important thing and for the rest I will do it my way.

"I think our situation is clear. If we don't win tomorrow, we play our last game against South Korea for nothing," Broos said. He also indicated a potential shift in tactics, noting that improvement requires possession of the ball. The coach mentioned that while some criticized him for being too lenient with players after the Mexico match, he prefers not to publicly blame them, sometimes resorting to "lying a little bit as a coach."

“

I think our situation is clear. If we don't win tomorrow, we play our last game against South Korea for nothing.