South Africa boss in World Cup spotlight after shutting down Trump question and calling out Messi treatment | OneFootball

South Africa’s coach, Hugo Broos, has emerged as an unlikely and captivating figure at this World Cup, quickly becoming a media sensation for his refreshingly blunt approach.

At 74, with a distinctive shock of silver hair and a perpetually furrowed brow, the Belgian tactician has wasted no time in making his presence felt.

Within the first week of the tournament, Broos has already shut down questions about Donald Trump, openly criticized what he perceived as favorable treatment for Lionel Messi, and defiantly told his critics back home to "shut up."

"For those who still don’t know it, I do it my way," he declared after former South Africa players voiced disapproval following the team’s 2-0 loss to Mexico in the opening game.

"I never listen to people who sometimes think that they are important enough to criticize the team. So when I’m going to see what they did before, I think it should be better that they shut up."

Broos, who has announced his intention to step down at the tournament’s conclusion, guided South Africa to its first World Cup appearance since hosting the event in 2010.

open image in gallery

Broos claimed Messi receives favorable treatment (Reuters)

As one of the oldest coaches ever to participate in the competition, his four decades of experience have clearly instilled in him a fearless candor. Yet, he demonstrated a shrewd astuteness when confronted with a potentially inflammatory topic involving Donald Trump.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Broos listened intently as a reporter asked him and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to comment on Donald Trump’s baseless claims regarding a systematic killing of white farmers in South Africa.

His response was swift and unequivocal: "I will answer that question," he stated, before adding, "We will not answer that question."

He was considerably more expansive when discussing Messi’s tackle on Algeria captain Aissa Mandi, especially in light of his own player, Themba Zwane, receiving a three-match suspension after a VAR review of his clash with Mexico’s Roberto Alvarado.

"I think there was not even a VAR with Messi," Broos remarked. "I don’t want Messi to get a red card because that player has to be on the pitch... but, yeah, what is the difference here?"

A 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic on Thursday kept South Africa’s hopes of advancing from the group stage alive for the first time at a World Cup. When asked if he felt relieved after Teboho Mokoena scored a late penalty, his reply was characteristically direct: "Why shouldn’t I be relieved?"

open image in gallery

Broos refused to answer a question about Donald Trump (AFP/Getty)

He then turned his criticism to the Czechs’ long-ball tactics, stating, "I think if you like football that you like more the game we played today than the game of Czechia."

His assessment of Atlanta Stadium was equally unsparing: "If I can be very honest, this is not a football stadium. It’s a nice stadium, fantastic stadium, everything you want, but only the grass is football. All the rest is not."

A victory against South Korea on Wednesday would likely secure South Africa’s progression from Group A.

Broos, a popular figure among fans, recently recounted a memorable reaction to his team’s World Cup qualification: "There was somebody who came to me and he said, ‘Coach, they have to make a statue for you in South Africa.’ "I said, make it in wood so it will burn more easily when I lose."