KINGSTON, Jamaica — Rene Simoes, the architect of Jamaica’s lone FIFA World Cup qualification, in France 1998, has shown an interest in taking over the Reggae Boyz for their Intercontinental play-offs in March 2026, Observer Online has been reliably informed.

It is understood that the 72-year-old Brazilian has the backing of several members of the 1998 team and has also made his interest known to the Jamaica Football Federation.

The post became vacant after Englishman Steve McClaren resigned with immediate effect on Tuesday after Jamaica were held 0-0 at home by first-time qualifiers Curacao, finishing second in the Group on 11 points and thus missing out on an automatic qualifying spot to the FIFA World Cup to be hosted jointly by the USA, Canada and Mexico next year.

Jamaica were drawn to face New Caledonia in the first game of their qualifying in Mexico in March next year and if they win, will play African team the Democratic Republic of Congo with the winners qualifying for the World Cup.

Simoes, who had two stints with the Jamaican national team, helped to create history when he led the Reggae Boyz to France 1998 where they won one of their three first round games, beating Japan 2-1 in their final game after losing 3-1 to Croatia in their opening game and 5-0 to Argentina.

His second stint was not as successful however and he was relieved of his duties by then JFF president Captain Horace Burrell in 2008 after a 2-0 away loss to Honduras after he replaced Bora Milutinovic, with the team on one point from three games, a 1-1 draw against Canada and a 3-0 loss to Mexico.

Meanwhile, the JFF are expected to name an interim coach on Friday and it is reported that Rudolph Speid, coach of Premier League champions Cavalier and chairman of the Technical Committee could be the man to take over the job.

Speid was the chairman of the Technical Committee that had seen the firing of former national coach Theodore Whitmore and the hiring of the last two men’s national senior team coaches, Heimir Hallgrimsson, who walked away from the job, and McClaren.

— Paul A Reid