McClaren’s appointment a statement of intent

President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Michael Ricketts says the appointment of Englishman Stephen McClaren as head coach for the Reggae Boyz is a statement of intent from the federation to ensure qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

McClaren steps into the role following the resignation of Heimir Hallgrimsson at the end of Jamaica’s Copa America campaign in June.

Speaking at a press conference at the JFF headquarters yesterday, Ricketts said McClaren’s appointment will ensure Jamaica’s World Cup qualifying campaign would not be derailed by managerial issues.

“We are intent on getting to the World Cup in 2026. This programme will not be derailed,” he said. “We are intent on getting things right and we will not allow ourselves to get distracted. Having had discussions with the coach this morning, he also is intent on getting us to the World Cup.”

Ricketts said following Hallgrimsson’s departure, the JFF had received over 50 applications from coaches interested in taking the helm of the national squad.

Chairman of the JFF technical committee Rudolph Speid said, however, that McClaren was the standout choice for the JFF as he had the best profile that matched the JFF’s requirements.

INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS

McClaren has had experience with national team management, having previously coached England. He also had international success in Europe’s top league.

McClaren led Twente to the Dutch Eredivisie title in the 2009-10 season as well as being the assistant coach to Sir Alex Ferguson when Manchester United won the treble in 1999.

“We did get more than 50 applications before we decided to choose the person who will take the reins for the next two and a half years,” Speid explained. “At the end of the day, it was always going to be one coach and he ticked all the boxes.”

McClaren’s first assignment will be in the Concacaf Nations League against Cuba and Honduras in September.

He will get his first taste of World Cup Qualification in June of next year with games against the British Virgin Islands and Guatemala.

Ricketts said while McClaren will have to quickly adjust to his new role, the JFF is confident he can provide the results needed and will have the full support of the federation.

“We must be very serious about what we have to do. We must ensure that we exhibit the highest level of professionalism. We cannot afford to do things that will make the coach feel discouraged,” he said.

“I said to him that he is coming from a first world country and we might not be able to give him everything that he would like, but we will give him the best of what we have to offer,” Ricketts said.