The phrase “need for speed” may be a modern cliché term, but for Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts it’s a reality as the governing body has appointed Rudolph Speid as the interim coach of the Reggae Boyz ahead of their final push to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The decision was made on Friday at the JFF’s headquarters in Kingston when the federation’s hierarchy met, which included Ricketts, vice-presidents Elaine Walker-Brown and Gregory Daley, and acting general manager Omar McFarlane.

Despite reports of international interest in the post, including from former Canadian men’s and women’s Head Coach John Herdman and Brazilian Rene Simoes who guided Jamaica to their only World Cup in 1998, the Jamaica Observer understands that Speid and former Reggae Boyz Assistant Coach Miguel Coley were the only candidates who were interviewed.

It’s further understood that both men received an immediate vote of confidence which allowed for the selection process to be completed before the end of the day. Speid will begin his tenure on December 15, while the JFF are in advanced negotiations with Coley’s agent, as Coley is currently the assistant manager of Zakho Sports Club in Iraq’s first division.

Speid declined to comment when approached by the Observer, but was in good spirits leaving the venue.

The pair will lead the team in March’s inter-confederation play-offs after Steve McClaren’s resignation last Tuesday following Jamaica’s 0-0 draw with Curacao which resulted in them failing to automatically qualify for the World Cup. The Reggae Boyz will now play Oceania’s New Caledonia in the play-off semi-finals in March in Mexico where the winner will take on Africa’s Democratic Republic of Congo for a spot at the World Cup.

After Friday’s meeting, Ricketts told the Observer that choosing Speid and Coley was a no-brainer.

“Obviously we needed persons who could just hit the track running, and I would think that these are probably our two local coaches that would have the best track record,” he said. “Having had discussions with some board members, they were very much in support of the initiative, and we would have had discussions with both gentlemen. Both are very, very excited at the prospects and looking forward to getting us to the World Cup.”

Speid, chairman of the JFF’s technical committee and former technical advisor to McClaren, has won three Jamaica Premier League titles in the last four years with Cavalier FC while leading them to consecutive Caribbean Cup finals, which included the title in 2024. He’s also one of the most qualified coaches in the Caribbean as he possesses a Concacaf ‘A’ licence.

Ricketts believes it was important to appoint Speid due to his success in the sport regionally.

“Speid is, in my mind, the best football mind, and we must utilise his skills, especially in a time when we need them,” he said. “We have played ourselves into a kind of a difficult position but not one that is impossible, so we will give it, from the JFF standpoint, our best shot.”

Speid’s role within the federation has long drawn scrutiny from some stakeholders, given his multiple positions — chairman of the technical committee, which is responsible for leading the coach hiring process; JFF board director; and his ongoing position at Cavalier.

Ricketts didn’t address the Cavalier ties but revealed he will relinquish his other roles temporarily.

“Speid will be, of course, on leave of absence until after the 21st of March. If then he has to apply for an extension or he would be in a position to resign from these positions. But, as it is now, he will be on special leave to take up those responsibilities.”

Coley has long expressed a desire to return to the national team following his 2014-2016 stint as Winfried Schafer’s assistant. He helped the Reggae Boyz make the final of the 2015 Concacaf Gold Cup for the first time in their history but was removed just over a year later after the team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Since 2018, Coley, who led Jamaica College to several schoolboy titles, has had assistant managerial roles in Iran, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

Steve McClaren (left) and Rudolph Speid share a joke before Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz Concacaf World Cup Qualifer against Curacao at Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, Curacao, on October 10, 2025. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Former Reggae Boyz Assistant Coach Miguel Coleys set to make a return.

Members of Jamaica’s national men’s senior football team train at the National Stadium on November 17, 2025. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

RICKETTS… both are very, very excited at the prospects and looking forward to getting us to the World Cup (Photo: Joseph Wellington)