Jacob Mulee: Coaching Kenya is the ‘most difficult job in the world’

Former Kenya head coach Jacob Mulee says he empathises with Benni McCarthy, describing the role of managing the national team as one of the most difficult jobs in football.

McCarthy’s Harambee Stars will face Rwanda in an international friendly in Kigali on Monday as they look to end an underwhelming international break on a positive note.

Kenya began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea before losing 1-0 to Guinea.

The team’s preparations have also been disrupted by tensions with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), with players boycotting training ahead of the match against Eritrea over unpaid allowances.

Mulee, who has had several spells in charge of Kenya, says the situation highlights the challenges facing McCarthy.

Asked on Radio Jambo whether he would consider coaching Kenya again, Mulee said: “That is a closed chapter. To be on that bench [and] be told ‘Ghost must go’…”

He added: “To coach Harambee Stars is the most difficult job in the world. Ask Benni McCarthy; he knows. You saw they had a strike the other day.

“You have your plans; you have planned how you want to prepare the team, then you hear there is a go-slow, and the players have boycotted training.”

Mulee said he would only consider returning to the national team in an advisory capacity rather than as head coach.

“I can come as an advisor, not a coach,” he said. “Coaching that team is not easy. If I tell you what it takes for you to get results.

“I empathise with McCarthy because you see him and talk a lot about him, but his job is heavy.

“There is a lot to do but no time. Everyone expects good results.”

McCarthy, a former Manchester United striker, was appointed Kenya head coach in March 2025 and is under pressure to improve the team’s results.

Kenya’s next competitive assignments will be in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with the team needing to recover from their slow start in Group C.