Hugo Broos has confirmed he will be departing from his role as South Africa head coach and retiring after a fortnight of uncertainty over his future.
Broos led South Africa to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history but went on to lose 1-0 to Canada in the last 32.
And at 74 years old, Broos became the oldest manager to take charge of a team in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Before the finals, the Belgian had asserted he would retire at the end of the tournament, but following that defeat, he backtracked slightly, saying he might be tempted to stay.
While it seemed unlikely he would carry on – the South African Football Association confirmed they were looking for his successor – Broos has confirmed this will be his last coaching role.
He did not, however, rule out helping Bafana Bafana in a different position.
“Will I continue as a coach after all? No, it is irreversible!” Broos told voetbalnieuws.be.
“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.
“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.”
“My wife is happy that I’m quitting, but she’s already warned me: ‘Just make sure you don’t get in my way!’
“Suppose I have to be in South Africa for a few weeks every two months: why not? Better that than being a nuisance at home because I have nothing to do.”
Broos became South Africa’s head coach in 2021 and helped the nation to their first World Cup in 16 years, having not appeared in the finals since they hosted it.
He also led them to the Africa Cup of Nations finals twice and clinched third place in the 2023 edition.
Broos also managed the likes of Club Brugge, Anderlecht, Genk and Cameroon across his career.
It is reported that Pitso Mosimane will serve as his successor, with the South African set to return for a second spell in charge, having previously led them from 2010 to 2012.
