4 weeks ago
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MICHAEL RICKETTS, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), has defended the appointment of Rudolph Speid as technical adviser to the Reggae Boyz programme, saying the Cavalier’s boss is the “best man for the job”.
With the hopes of boosting their chances of qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the JFF appointed Speid as technical adviser to Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren.
Speaking to The Gleaner, Ricketts threw his support behind the decision, saying he believes Speid was the perfect fit for the role.
He pointed to Speid’s success with Cavalier, both in the Jamaica Premier League and regional competitions such as the Concacaf Caribbean Cup and the Concacaf Champions Cup.
“What we’re trying to do is to strengthen the technical aspect of our programme, and these things do happen from time to time,” Ricketts said.
“The board of directors took the decision that Speid, having done so well with Cavalier against our Caribbean neighbours, was the best person.
“Since we do have all Caribbean teams to play in the final round [of Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers] we thought, to insert Speid as part of the technical staff would positively impact the process of going to the World Cup.”
However, the appointment was met with its share of negative reactions from football fans as they believe it creates a conflict.
Speid, a man of many hats, currently holds the position of sporting director for JPL champions Cavalier and is also chairman of the JFF’s technical committee.
According to Ricketts, Speid’s new role will not conflict with his duties as chair of the technical committee.
Ricketts went on to explain that the role was not a paid one and will see Speid taking a support position on McClaren’s staff.
“It is not a concern, because it is not a paid position,” Ricketts said.
“It probably would be considered conflicting if he was a member of staff, but he is not in a paid position, so we don’t think there is a conflict. Remember now, he will only be a part of the supportive staff.”
Ricketts said Speid’s appointment is not only supported by him and the JFF’s board of directors, but it has also earned the approval of Reggae Boyz boss McClaren.
The JFF president explained that McClaren has welcomed Speid’s expertise and his familiarity with football within the Concacaf region.
“We believes that someone like Speid, who we know has the technical competence, was the right fit. Having discussed it with the coach, he was very comfortable with having Speid as part of his support staff,” Ricketts said.
“As I said, Speid is the best person for the role, and the coach thinks so as well. So the coach is actually supportive of the role and is very excited in having Speid as his advisor.”
Ricketts also explained the position will only last until the end of the current World Cup qualifying campaign, but has not ruled out an extension.
He said a final decision will be made when the JFF and its stakeholders hold their mandated meetings at the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Jamaica have been drawn in Group B of the final round of qualifiers alongside Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bermuda.
The final round comprises of two groups, with the winner of each qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The runners-up advance to an inter-continental play-off for another chance at qualification.
Jamaica will open their campaign against Bermuda in an away fixture on September 5, before closing out the group stage on November 18 at home to Curacao.
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