# Hugo Broos steps down as South Africa manager after five years

Hugo Broos has announced his departure as South Africa manager, saying time away from his family and periods of loneliness in the country led him to make the “difficult decision” not to extend his contract.

The Belgian, 74, leaves after five years in charge of Bafana Bafana – the longest managerial tenure in the history of the national team.

Broos delivered a farewell speech at his final news conference, saying South Africa’s qualification for the World Cup had brought his time in charge to a natural conclusion.

“Periods of absence from my family and moments of loneliness in South Africa forced me to make this difficult decision,” said Broos.

“Qualifying for the World Cup – 40 years after I took part as a player with the Belgium national team in the 1986 edition – made the picture complete. For that reason, I will not extend my contract.

“I had been clear about the path I wanted to follow from the moment I accepted the job. Despite the harsh criticism I faced, I received the support of a wonderful staff.”

Broos praised the people he worked with during what he described as an extraordinary five-year spell, saying colleagues who were initially strangers had become lifelong friends.

“These have been amazing years for me, filled with important milestones and unique moments,” he said. “I worked with people who are the best in their field, and with individuals who were strangers before becoming friends for life.

“I would like to thank them for everything, because none of this would have been possible without them. In my 30-year coaching career, I have never experienced such a great level of respect and gratitude. I will cherish these people for the rest of my life.”

He also thanked his staff and players for their commitment and for the trust they placed in him, both as a manager and as a person.

Under Broos, South Africa won a bronze medal and finished third at the World Cup, while also reaching the round of 32 at the World Cup.

In his farewell message, Broos said the team had established a distinctive Bafana Bafana identity and delivered notable achievements, including winning a bronze medal in Africa, reaching the second round of the World Cup and producing a number of outstanding performances.

“We brought football back to life in South Africa,” he said. “The supporters returned to fill the stands, and that brought happiness to this wonderful country.”

Bafana Bafana are currently 54th in the world rankings, according to Broos, who said the team now stood at a crossroads after making significant progress towards securing a stronger position in African football.

He believes South African players must now be given more opportunities to compete at the highest level. He also called for higher standards in the domestic league and in administration, while saying players needed to adopt a more professional mentality.

“From the bottom of my heart, I hope everything goes well for the national team and that the necessary steps are taken to continue its development and improvement,” Broos said.

He wished his successor success and expressed hope that the next manager would help the team complete “that final and important step”.

Broos also thanked the Minister of Sport for his unconditional support, enthusiasm and commitment to the national team.

His final words of appreciation were reserved for Danny Jordaan, president of the South African Football Association, who he said had given him complete backing and put his trust in him throughout his five years in charge.

“I will never forget the moment I spoke to him when I was having doubts about my future as the permanent coach of Bafana Bafana,” Broos said.

“He told me: ‘Whatever they say or write, I know what you are doing; continue your work, you have my full support.’ That was the beginning of a wonderful journey.”