Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has responded to criticism from members of the Kenyan public, insisting that he does not allow negative opinions to influence his decisions or distract him from his responsibilities.

The South African tactician acknowledged that people are entitled to express their views, even when their comments are directed at him. However, he made it clear that he does not intend to spend his time reacting to every criticism surrounding his work with the national team.

McCarthy believes public criticism is part of football, particularly for coaches who are expected to deliver results while managing the expectations of passionate supporters.

"Freedom of speech is really freedom of speech. People say whatever they want to."

His comments reflect his understanding that supporters will always have different opinions about team selection, performances and coaching decisions. Rather than allowing those views to affect his approach, McCarthy appears determined to concentrate on the work required to improve Kenya's national team.

The former Manchester United assistant coach arrived in Kenya with the responsibility of guiding Harambee Stars and helping the country make progress in international football.

However, managing a national team comes with considerable pressure, as supporters closely follow every decision made by the technical team. Results and performances often determine how coaches are judged, making criticism an unavoidable part of the job.

McCarthy's response suggests that he recognises this reality and has no intention of allowing public reactions to dictate how he approaches his position.

For the Kenyan coach, the priority remains preparing his players, improving the team's performances and delivering results on the pitch.

His latest remarks have once again demonstrated his willingness to address criticism directly while maintaining that outside opinions will not determine his focus.

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