Steve McClaren leaves Manchester United backroom team, takes Jamaica national team manager's role on two-year deal
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Updated 31/07/2024 at 23:43 GMT+1
Steve McClaren has swapped Old Trafford for Jamaica, in a shock move that sees the Englishman beat Steve Bruce to the role. McClaren has been tasked with qualifying the Reggae Boyz for their first World Cup for 26 years, after former boss Heimir Hallgrimsson was let go following a disappointing showing at the 2024 Copa America. McClaren has penned a two-year contract.
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Former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren has been named the new head coach of Jamaica.
The 63-year-old has been tasked with taking the Jamaican national team to their first World Cup since 1998, after the departure of Heimir Hallgrimsson.
Jamaica lost all three of their group stage games at the 2024 Copa America, scoring just once under the Icelandic coach, who is also a qualified dentist.
McClaren has signed a two-year contract with the Reggae Boyz, with whom he first became acquainted before his return to Manchester United in 2022.
“I am extremely proud and excited to take up the position of Head Coach for The Jamaica Men’s National Team,” said McClaren.
“I had no hesitation in accepting a position that is ideally suited to me at this stage of my career.
“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.”
McClaren will continue to manage training in Carrington while United are away on their pre-season tour of the USA and said he was pleased to leave the club on a high.
“I am delighted to have played my part in helping Erik deliver two trophies to the club and for my final game to have been our FA Cup victory over Manchester City," said McClaren in an official Manchester United statement.
"There can be no better note on which to end. I have no doubt the foundations that are in place at Manchester United will see the club challenging again soon for all the major trophies.”
The former England boss takes on just his second managerial role as the head of a national team, previously failing to qualify the Three Lions for Euro 2008.
But with a long and storied CV, including as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant manager when Manchester United won the treble in 1999, Jamaica are hopeful McClaren can end their 26-year wait for World Cup qualification.
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“We are truly elated to announce the appointment of Mr. McClaren as head coach of the Reggae Boyz,” said the Jamaica Football Federation in a statement.
“We are confident we made the right decision and we are looking forward to him guiding our nation towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
McClaren’s role at Manchester United was downgraded in the summer, with the arrival of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake. Prior to that, he was among Erik ten Hag's assistant managers.
Former Newcastle manager Steve Bruce was also reportedly in talks to become the Reggae Boyz head coach.
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