ATLANTA (AP) — South Africa coach Hugo Broos has fast become an unexpected highlight of this World Cup. At the age of 74, with thick silver hair and a seemingly permanent furrowed brow, the Belgian takes a no-nonsense approach to dealing with the media. Broos has shut down questions about Donald Trump, called out what he saw as the favorable treatment of Lionel Messi and told critics back in South Africa to “shut up.” All of that within a week of the tournament kicking off. “For those who still don’t know it, I do it my way,” he said after former South Africa players rounded on his 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 said he will step down at the end of the tournament, led South Africa to its first World Cup since it was host in 2010.
He is one of the oldest coaches ever to take part in a World Cup and, with 40 years of experience, he has no problem speaking his mind. He was, however, astute enough to avoid being drawn into a potential war of words with President Donald Trump.
