August 1 – Former England manager Steve McClaren is quitting Manchester United’s backroom staff to become head coach of Jamaica’s men’s national team on a two-year deal.
The Reggae Boyz have been without a manager since Heimir Hallgrimsson, who has since joined Republic of Ireland, left earlier this month after a disappointing Copa America.
The Jamaica Football Federation has been assessing candidates and McClaren, whose last managerial role was at Queens Park Rangers five years ago, is the man they want to try and guide them to the 2026 World Cup.
The Jamaicans have promised a lot over their last two campaigns having made the final four of the Concacaf Nations League in May, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the 2023 Gold Cup before losing to eventual winners Mexico.
Their expectation is that, with more World Cup places available to Concacaf nations for the 2026 World Cup, they will qualify. Their all-star forward line-up of Leon Bailey, Michail Antonio, Bobby Reid and Demarai Gray when all are available, fit, and in lock-step, are a handful for any defence though the Jamaicans have not quite made the breakthrough impact expected.
After two matches in the first group round of 2026 qualifying, the Jamaicans are joint top of their five team group with Guatemala. Qualifying continues next June when the Jamaicans face Guatemala. Before then McClaren will lead them at the 2025 Gold Cup and in the Nations League.
“I’m extremely proud and excited to take up the position,” said McClaren. “Although the opportunity has come somewhat unexpectedly I had no hesitation in accepting a position that is ideally suited to me.”
“Prior to returning to Manchester United for a second spell, I spent time at FIFA as a Technical Advisor on their Global Eco Analysis project. Jamaica was one of the teams I worked with and I quickly came to realise the potential the country possessed. In the years since, that potential has grown significantly and there is every reason to believe that with continued hard work and development a bright future lies ahead.”
Jamaica’s only World Cup appearance to date came at France 1998, when they were knocked out in the group stage.
In a statement the President of Jamaica Football Federation Michael Ricketts said: “We are confident we made the right decision and we are looking forward to Steve guiding our nation towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
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