For years, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz have been criticised for lacking a clear identity on the pitch, something often blamed for their struggles to reach major tournaments. Midfielder Tyreek Magee says the team is still finding its way but believes the players need to take more initiative to turn potential into results.

The national senior men’s team have not been to the FIFA World Cup since 1998 under Brazilian Head Coach Rene Simoes who received high praise for the philosophy he brought to the team.

Since then, Jamaica have gone through 12 different coaches with the team having no established style of play.

Magee, who made his debut for Jamaica in 2019, has played under three different coaches, including the recently departed Steve McClaren who received backlash for his tactics.

The 26-year-old, who led Mount Pleasant to the Concacaf Caribbean Cup title earlier this month, says while players need to show more confidence on the ball, the team is moving in the right direction.

“I feel like over the years it’s definitely getting closer to that, but obviously still not there as yet and still a lot of work to be done, but 100 per cent I think we’re getting there,” Magee told the Jamaica Observer.

“A lot of times I think it’s also down to the players. Sometimes when you’re on the pitch, you need to have a bit of bravery, and just like you see something in the moment, just do it. Just do it and believe 100 per cent that it’s going to happen because, like, not everything the coach tells you or wants you to do is going to be happening in the game. Sometimes, like, it’s just taking that initiative and making stuff happen.”

Magee, who has 16 caps for the Reggae Boyz, believes handling criticism from the local fans is important in executing on the field.

United States players Christian Pulisic (left) and Ricardo Pepi (centre) watch on as Jamaica’s Reggae Boy Tyreek Magee plays a pass during the second-leg Concacaf Nations League quarter-final contest at Energizer Park in St Louis, United States, on November 18, 2024. Photos: JFF

“For Jamaican people, one thing I know is they’ll curse you and stuff like that, but they just want to see the one thing well, and that changes everything, every single thing. I know Jamaican fans are like that and they want to see everyone do well at the end of the day,” he said.

“For me personally, what I do when I’m playing for Jamaica, just get on the ball and just start making some five-yard passes and stuff like that just to get back into the game and get the fans worked up and stuff like that.”

Interim head coach and Jamaica Football Federation technical committee chairman, currently on leave, Rudolph Speid, says the philosophy issue is being addressed through a restructuring of the youth system, which has seen several top coaches appointed at the Under-20, Under-17, Under-15, and Under-14 levels.

Magee, known for his creative abilities, says his gift is natural but believes certain important features of the game can be developed at the youth level.

“I don’t know, I feel like maybe I’m just strong mentally or something but [15:36] yeah, that’s what I do. Yeah, even when you mentioned that like when you’re out there.”

“I don’t know for anyone else, but when I’m playing, I don’t think about anything at all, I play what the game gives me. Honestly, what I can do, I don’t know if I’ve ever been taught to do that, that’s just the way I am, luckily,” he said.

“There’s definitely aspects of the game that you can be taught and obviously you can get better technically and stuff like that but honestly, I feel like that’s not something that I really thought growing up. I feel like I was always able to do a lot of stuff that I’m doing now.”

The Jamaicans are in preparation mode for March’s inter-confederation play-offs where they will take on Oceania’s New Caledonia and potentially DR Congo or Nigeria of Africa for the final spot at next summer’s World Cup in USA, Canada, and Mexico.

MAGEE… sometimes when you’re on the pitch, you need to have a bit of bravery