Steve McClaren has been appointed as the new head coach of Jamaica’s men’s national soccer team, the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) announced on Wednesday. The former England national team and Premier League manager joins the ‘Reggae Boyz’ after the resignation of Heimir Hallgrimsson last month, following Jamaica’s underwhelming performance at the Copa America tournament. McClaren, most recently an assistant coach at Manchester United FC, signed a two-year contract with the JFF, aiming to lead Jamaica to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
McClaren expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I had no hesitation in accepting a position that is ideally suited to me at this stage of my career. I quickly came to realize the potential that 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.” His previous experience with Jamaica as a FIFA Global Eco Analysis project technical advisor provides him with valuable insight into the team’s capabilities.
Jamaica’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup have been boosted by FIFA’s expansion of the tournament to 48 teams, with three automatic qualifying spots available for CONCACAF nations. The ‘Reggae Boyz’ will face Cuba in a 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League match on September 6th at the National Stadium in Kingston. McClaren’s appointment marks a new chapter for the Jamaican national team, as he seeks to build upon their existing talent and guide them towards international success.
