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Steve McClaren, former England manager, has been named the head coach of Jamaica’s men’s national team. The 63-year-old has signed a two-year contract and will take up the role after departing from Manchester United’s backroom staff. The Jamaica Football Federation has set a clear goal for McClaren: to lead the Reggae Boyz to the 2026 World Cup finals. Jamaica’s only World Cup appearance so far was in France in 1998, where they exited in the group stage.
McClaren expressed his excitement about this new chapter in his career. “I am extremely proud and excited to take on this role, which feels ideally suited to me at this stage of my career,” he stated. This appointment marks McClaren’s first managerial position since being dismissed by QPR in April 2019.
McClaren’s career has been marked by significant achievements and challenges. He previously served as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United before managing Middlesbrough, where he won the League Cup in 2004 and led the team to the UEFA Cup final in 2006. His tenure as England manager began in 2006, following Sven-Goran Eriksson, but ended after the national team’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008.
In May 2022, McClaren returned to Manchester United, joining Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff. Ten Hag praised McClaren, saying, “Steve has been an invaluable source of support and advice. We’ve been friends for 16 years since our time together at FC Twente, and that relationship will continue as he embarks on this next challenge, as will his bond with Manchester United.”
Before officially stepping into his new role with Jamaica, McClaren will oversee the return of Manchester United’s international players to pre-season training, concluding his tenure with the club upon the squad’s return from their tour of the United States. He expressed gratitude to the club and its staff, saying, “I wish to say a huge thank you to everyone at Manchester United for their friendship, help, and support during the past two years.”
McClaren has previously worked with Jamaica as a technical adviser at FIFA, where he recognized the country’s potential. “I quickly came to realise the potential the country possessed,” he reflected. “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.”
As McClaren steps into his new role, the Jamaican football community and fans alike will be hopeful that his vast experience and strategic insights can lead the Reggae Boyz to new heights, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
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