Steve McClaren succeeds Heimir Hallgrimsson as new Jamaica boss

Steve McClaren has succeeded Heimir Hallgrimsson as head coach of Jamaica.

The former England manager joins the Reggae Boyz after Hallgrimsson resigned last month following Jamaica's poor showing at the Copa America tournament. He was subsequently named the new Republic of Ireland boss.

McClaren, most recently an assistant coach with Manchester United, was signed to a two-year deal with a goal to guide Jamaica toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States, the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) said..

"I had no hesitation in accepting a position that is ideally suited to me at this stage of my career," said McClaren, who had worked with Jamaica as a FIFA Global Eco Analysis project technical advisor.

"I quickly came to realize the potential that the country possessed. In the years since, that potential has grown significantly and there is every reason to believe that with continued hard work and development a bright future lies ahead."

Jamaica's chances to qualify for the next World Cup have improved with FIFA's expansion of the tournament to 48 teams rather than 32, with three automatic qualifying places available to CONCACAF nations.

They will next face Cuba in a 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League match on 6 September at the National Stadium in Kingston.