Steve McClaren LEAVES Man Utd to become new manager of Jamaica in shock move just weeks before season
STEVE MCCLAREN has been appointed the new manager of the Jamaican national team.
He leaves his role as Manchester United first-team coach to take the job.
McClaren had been part of the backroom team at Old Trafford after re-joining the Red Devils in 2022.
However, he has now left the club to replace Heimar Hallgrimsson as Reggae Boyz boss.
The Icelandic coach left the role earlier this month and has since been appointed Republic of Ireland boss.
Jamaica confirmed McClaren’s appointment in a statement reading: “Stephen McClaren has been appointed as head coach of the Reggae Boyz.”
Meanwhile, FA president Michael Ricketts said: “We are confident we made the right decision and we are looking forward to him guiding our nation towards the 2026 Fifa World Cup.”
McClaren added: “I am extremely proud and excited to take up the position of Head Coach for the Jamaica Men’s National Team.
“I had no hesitation in accepting a position that is ideally suited to me at this stage of my career.”
Jamaica are currently 59th in the Fifa world rankings and are next in action in September.
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The Reggae Boyz face Cuba and Honduras in a pair of Concacaf Nations League matches.
They will then continue their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign next June against the British Virgin Islands and Guatemala.
McClaren spent the last two years at United, first as an assistant to Erik ten Hag before becoming senior first-team coach this summer.
He could now work with several Premier League stars, including Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock, Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey and Michail Antonio of West Ham.
The 63-year-old has international experience after previously managing England.
His tenure lasted just 15 months, though, as he was sacked following after failing to qualify for Euro 2008.
He has been out of the dugout since April 2019, having spent 11 months in charge of Queens Park Rangers.
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