KINGSTON, Jamaica – Former England manager Steve McClaren has been named head coach of Jamaica’s senior men’s national football team, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) announced on Wednesday.

McClaren, who held the position of assistant coach at English Premier League club Manchester United and who was also in the running to take over the Nigerian head coaching job, has signed a two-year contract “aimed at guiding the Reggae Boyz towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” a release from the JFF said.

The 63-year-old will take over from Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson who stepped down after a disastrous Copa America campaign a month ago.

READ: Hallgrímsson resigns as Reggae Boyz coach

JFF President Michael Ricketts expressed great optimism about the appointment.

“We are truly elated to announce the appointment of Mr McClaren as head coach of the Reggae Boyz. We are confident we made the right decision and we are looking forward to him guiding our nation towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Ricketts said.

McClaren coached England from 2006 to 2007 but stepped down after failing to guide them to Euro 2008.

The JFF release said McClaren “expressed great excitement of taking charge of the Reggae Boyz”, saying “I am extremely proud and excited to take up the position of head coach for the Jamaica men’s national team.

“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,” McLaren said.
-Paul A Reid