Former England coach Steve McClaren has resigned as the manager of Jamaica’s national football team after their failure to qualify for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America. The resignation follows a disappointing exit from the qualification stage, where Jamaica was eliminated by Curacao, the smallest nation ever to secure a World Cup spot.
In a match held on January 28, 2024, Jamaica faced Curacao in a do-or-die encounter but could only manage a 0-0 draw. This result meant that Jamaica finished just one point behind Curacao in Group B, with the latter securing their place in the World Cup despite having their head coach Dick Advocaat absent due to family obligations.
Following the match, McClaren expressed his decision to step down, citing the need for a “fresh voice” and “new energy” to lead the team forward. He stated, “Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is recognize when a fresh voice, new energy and a different perspective is required to move this team forward.”
Curacao’s assistant manager, Dean Gorre, revealed that McClaren was visibly emotional after the match, stating, “Steve was crying. It affected him that much.” This moment highlighted the deep disappointment felt by the Jamaican team, who were aiming to lift the spirits of their nation after a devastating hurricane affected the Caribbean country.
Curacao’s achievement is notable as they become the first team with a population of under 200,000—specifically, 156,115 as per the Central Bureau of Statistics—to qualify for a World Cup. Previously, the record was held by Iceland, which had over 350,000 residents when they qualified for the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Despite having talented players like Rico Henry from Brentford and former Everton star Mason Holgate in the lineup, Jamaica could not find the breakthrough they needed in a match McClaren had described as “the biggest game in Jamaica for many, many years.”
Reflecting on his time as coach, McClaren had hoped to bring positivity to the team and its supporters during challenging times. He remarked, “We will try to at least put some positivity and a smile on people’s faces in the midst of adversity… because there is nothing better than a Jamaican smile, I can guarantee you that.”
McClaren’s tenure with the Jamaican national team ends amid disappointment, echoing a similar fate during his time with the England team, where he failed to secure qualification for the Euro 2008 tournament. His departure raises questions about the future direction of Jamaican football as they seek to rebuild and aim for future competitions.
