KINGSTON, Jamaica — Steve McClaren has quit as coach of the Jamaican national team after the Reggae Boyz failed to qualify for the World Cup with Tuesday’s goalless draw at home to Curaçao, leaving them needing to navigate March’s inter-confederation playoffs if they are to feature in the USA, Canada and Mexico next June.
The draw in Kingston left Curaçao celebrating on the field as they became the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, but former England manager McClaren wasted no time in announcing his departure, reading out a pre-prepared statement at the post-match press conference.
“Leadership is a service, tonight I think the best thing I can do is stepping aside. They will succeed in March. Thank you Jamaica, it has been an honour, one love to you all,” said McClaren.
“Tonight we’ve fallen short in our goal to qualify. It is a responsibility of the leader, myself to step forward, take accountability, and make decisions in the best interests of the team from them to go for. After deep reflection and an honest assessment of where we are, and where we need to go I have decided to step down as the head coach of the Jamaican national team,” he added.
The 64-year-old former Middlesbrough manager who was also assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and had an unhappy spell as England boss, took over Jamaica in July, 2024.
Jamaica fans saw their team miss out on automatic qualification for the World Cup after a 0-0 draw with Curacao on Tuesday. (Ricardo Makyn / AFP / Getty Images)
“This decision comes from respect. Always the respect of the badge. Always the support, and the place. And sometimes the best thing a leader can do is to recognise when new energy and a different perspective is required to move this team forward. I want to take this moment to clearly thank the players,” he said.
After thanking the players, his staff, federation officials and the fans he re-iterated that he was sure that Jamaica would emerge with a World Cup place after the playoffs.
“I’m positive this team will succeed in March. … I think I’d best serve this team by stepping aside, and allowing someone else to take this team forward, which I know. they’ll succeed. in March. There so much talented ability on this island, things are developing. They will succeed. So I thank you, Jamaica. I will be forever grateful to have led the Reggae Boyz, really has been an honour, respect and one love to you all,” he said.
Despite the kind words, Michael Ricketts, President of the Jamaica Football Federation, was blunt in his assessment.
“To say I’m disappointed is an understatement. We engaged Heimir Hallgrimsson, then he left, we thought Steve McClaren would have been a good replacement, it has turned out that he has not been such a good replacement. We are supremely disappointed,” he said.
“We will reorganise, we have a second bite of the cherry, we will put things together and of course have an emergency meeting with the technical staff, and we will put an interim coach in place”.