Former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren has spoken out after his decision to leave his role as the Jamaica head coach after 18 months in charge.
Steve McClaren had found success at Old Trafford after he succeeded Brian Kidd as Manchester United assistant manager to the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
The 64-year-old former United assistant manager’s first run at the club included being Sir Alex Ferguson’s second in command for the treble-winning season.
McClaren, who later returned to Old Trafford in 2022 as part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff, made his way back to management in 2024 with Jamaica.
The former Jamaica boss’ role with the Reggae Boyz was McClaren’s first managerial gig since his ill-fated spell with Queens Park Rangers came to an end in 2019.
Why has former Man Utd man Steve McClaren quit his role as Jamaica manager?
Jamaica fell short of guaranteeing their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America under Steve McClaren’s watch after the Reggae Boyz’s 0-0 draw against Curacao.
McClaren’s men needed to pick up a win at the National Stadium in Kingston on Wednesday to ensure their place at the World Cup tournament for next summer.
The former Manchester United assistant manager has insisted that he must “take accountability” for the Reggae Boyz failing to secure automatic World Cup qualification.
“Over the last 18 months, I have given everything I have to this job,” he said, as per BBC Sport.
“Leading this team has been one of the greatest honours of my career.”
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McClaren continued: “But football is a results business and tonight we have fallen short of our goal, which was to qualify from this group.
“It is the responsibility of the leader to step forward, take accountability and make decisions in the best interests of the team.”
Steve McClaren explains his departure from the Jamaica head coach role after the 0-0 draw against Curacao
McClaren left his role under former United manager Erik ten Hag in 2024 to become Jamaica manager, with a key target being World Cup qualification for the country.
Jamaica finished second in Group H and fell one point short of Curacao, which leaves their World Cup qualification dreams dependent on March’s inter-confederation play-offs.
Speaking on his decision to leave the Jamaica national team, McClaren added: “After deep reflection and an honest assessment of where we are and where we need to go, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Jamaican national team.
“Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is to recognise when a fresh voice, new energy and a different perspective [are] required to move this team forward.”
Curacao ensured their place at the 2026 World Cup, which is hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, after Wednesday’s draw against Jamaica.
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