Such is the yearning for qualification to the 2026 Fifa men’s World Cup that even those who know very little about him are probably happy at the appointment of a new Reggae Boyz head coach.

Indeed, in the context of sport, news on Wednesday of Mr Steve McClaren’s appointment, following Mr Heimir Hallgrimsson’s recent departure, competed with happenings in Paris, where the track and field section of the Olympic Games begins on Friday.

A midfielder during his playing days in the late 70s, 80s and early 90s, Mr McClaren has had many years of experience in guiding clubs in England and Europe as well as the English national team. He was appointed manager of England (Three Lions) in 2006, but walked after 15 months when the team failed to qualify for the European Championships.

For those who follow football, an Englishman as the new coach didn’t come as a surprise given recent word from Jamaica Football Federation president, Mr Michael Ricketts, that this was his personal preference.

As explained in part by Mr Ricketts in mid-July: “Simply, I would like a coach that knows the players, especially the English-based players… since our team is made up of a lot of English-based players.”

The two-year contract with 63 year-old Mr McClaren is specifically with qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in mind, and Mr Ricketts said Wednesday that “[W]e are confident we made the right decision…”

That’s left to be seen. Ultimately, the proof of the pudding is always in the eating.

Mr McClaren has spoken of his recognition of the “potential” of Jamaican football and that, with continued hard work and development, “a bright future lies ahead”.

He tells us he had no “hesitation in accepting a position that is ideally suited to me at this stage of my career…”

Recently, we suggested in this space that in choosing Mr Hallgrimsson’s replacement, the JFF had the opportunity “to set the Reggae Boyz on a path” beyond qualification for the next World Cup.

We argued that the chosen coach “… should have a long-term outlook and plan for Jamaica’s football development, one that involves grass-roots and infrastructural improvements, and a wider engagement with the football community at home and across the diaspora”.

As well, “A holistic approach will ensure the sustainability of Jamaica’s football product and the competitiveness of our programme on the global stage.”

Whoever is appointed, we said, “…should also be committed to unearthing, nurturing, and exposing the island’s natural talents”.

That, “Emerging local stars should see the national senior team as an attainable goal. They must be effectively integrated into the programme and given the opportunity to draw from the experience of seasoned veterans in an environment of balance and quality…”

His two-year contract suggests that success or failure in that short-term project will determine Mr McClaren’s future in Jamaica, post the qualifying campaign.

Against that backdrop, we think it’s useful to say that the recent abysmal Jamaica age-group campaign at the Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship in Mexico underlines the reality that long-term development can’t be put on hold.