McClaren: We will fight for the Jamaican people
Jamaica coach opens on up embracing the nation’s culture, why World Cup qualification is within their grasp, and his recent spell at Manchester United.
Jamaica Coach Steve McClaren Speaks to FIFA
In an exclusive interview with FIFA, Steve McClaren, the new head coach of Jamaica’s national football team, reflects on his first six months in charge and outlines his confidence in the team’s World Cup ambitions.
“It’s been totally different from anything I’ve done before,” says McClaren, radiating positivity as he shares his thoughts on his new role. “What an experience. The people here have great humor and an amazing vibe. The players have been fantastic.”
After stepping down as Manchester United’s assistant coach in July 2024, the 63-year-old took the reins of the Reggae Boyz, tasked with leading the team to the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
McClaren is optimistic about Jamaica’s chances, emphasizing the squad’s “quality, enthusiasm, and motivation.” He believes the nation has an “unbelievable chance” to qualify, especially considering that the traditionally strong Concacaf teams – the US, Canada, and Mexico – are automatically qualified as hosts.
“With those three out of the picture, we truly believe we are among the top three or four teams in Concacaf,” McClaren states confidently. “The World Cup is the goal. It’s the greatest tournament in football, and that’s what we’re targeting. We believe we can achieve it.”
With his eyes firmly set on the 2026 World Cup, McClaren’s experience and positivity are fueling hopes for a historic qualification for Jamaica.
Jamaica’s Strong Start in Concacaf Preliminaries: Steve McClaren Focuses on Building Connection with Fans
After securing maximum points from their opening two second-round games in the Concacaf preliminaries, Jamaica is in a strong position heading into their next qualifiers in June.
If the team can secure one of the three direct World Cup spots available to the confederation, they will become the first Jamaican side to compete in the tournament since France 1998. That iconic team, which remains a source of pride for the island, is still celebrated to this day. “It’s like the England 1966 side back home,” McClaren says, emphasizing the lasting impact of that achievement. Building a similar bond between the current squad and the Jamaican fans is a top priority for the coach.
“We’ve done a lot of research, spoken with locals, and even met with members of the 1998 team,” McClaren explains. “We have to embrace the Jamaican culture fully. We’re making an effort to connect with the people here, not just on the field but in the community. One of the best trips we’ve had as a group was to the Bob Marley Museum. We also plan to visit local schools and engage with the kids.”
McClaren, along with his staff and the UK-based players, wants to ensure they don’t come across as outsiders. “We don’t want to be seen as foreigners coming in,” he says. “We want the locals to know we’re fighting for the Jamaican people. The passion for football here is incredible. The fans are so proud, and they create an unforgettable atmosphere with the reggae music and the drums. We need to immerse ourselves in their culture and join in with it, rather than expecting them to follow us.”
By forming a deeper connection with the Jamaican community, McClaren hopes to strengthen the bond between the team and its supporters, a crucial element in their pursuit of World Cup qualification.
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Steve McClaren Reflects on Adapting to Jamaican Football and His Coaching Journey
Steve McClaren’s coaching philosophy has evolved as he takes the reins of Jamaica’s national football team, and he recognizes the importance of adapting to the unique culture of the island.
“It’s interesting, because we (the coaching staff) have high standards and are quite strict about certain things. But what you can see is that Jamaica’s strength lies in their looseness and their culture. So, we’ve had to adapt to that. We want to harness that strength – the love of life, the joy of playing freely – while still maintaining structure within it,” McClaren explains.
This marks a shift in McClaren’s approach, combining the discipline and structure he’s accustomed to with the freedom that defines Jamaican football.
McClaren’s time with Jamaica is just the latest chapter in his illustrious coaching career. His journey includes leading clubs to major trophies in both England and the Netherlands, a stint as manager of the England national team, and serving as assistant coach to Sir Alex Ferguson during Manchester United’s golden era.
After returning to Manchester United in 2022 as part of Erik ten Hag’s staff, McClaren spent two years before the opportunity to coach Jamaica became too enticing to resist. His second spell at Old Trafford was a rollercoaster, with high moments like winning the Carabao Cup and finishing third in the Premier League, but also challenges, as United slumped to eighth in the 2023/24 season, only to salvage their campaign with a memorable FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
“It was a huge learning curve, going back to the club 20 years after I was there with Sir Alex,” McClaren reflects. “That first year was very tough for me in terms of catching up with the modern game and understanding Erik’s vision. It was an incredible challenge, but a fantastic experience, especially working with players like Cristiano Ronaldo. You always want to work with the best in the world, and he certainly is one of them.”
As McClaren continues his Jamaican adventure, he brings with him decades of experience and a willingness to learn and adapt, with the goal of helping the Reggae Boyz reach new heights.
Steve McClaren Reflects on Manchester United Tenure and the Decision to Join Jamaica
“We had a tough start, losing our first two games against Brighton and Brentford. Then we faced Liverpool in the next match, and the media were saying that if we lost, Erik could lose his job. I thought to myself, ‘Oh my God, this could be the shortest reign ever for a Manchester United manager!’ But we won that game, which gave us some breathing room, and from there, we went on a good run and had a solid season,” McClaren recalls.
The second season, however, proved to be much harder, primarily due to injuries. Yet, the team showed remarkable resilience, culminating in a memorable FA Cup final victory over their rivals, Manchester City. “That was the icing on the cake. To beat your rivals at Wembley, when everyone thought we had no chance, was a testament to the team’s character,” McClaren reflects.
Despite the FA Cup triumph, rumors swirled about Erik ten Hag’s future, with speculation that United could part ways with the Dutch manager during the off-season. Although Ten Hag eventually signed a new contract, he was sacked in October 2024.
McClaren, however, had already felt that his time at United was coming to an end. “I remember telling Erik after the final, ‘Let’s walk away now, it’s the perfect time to go. It can’t get any better than this, apart from winning the league.’ We had a summer of unrest, which was eventually settled, but for me personally, that was the right time to leave,” he shares.
When the opportunity to coach Jamaica arose during pre-season, McClaren saw it as the perfect next step. “When the Jamaica job came up, it just felt right for me. And one day, I’ll be sitting in my rocking chair, reflecting on my career, thinking, ‘What was your last game for Manchester United?’ Well, it was at Wembley in the FA Cup final against Man City. And we won. It can’t get any better than that.”
McClaren’s journey at Manchester United may have ended, but the memories of his final moments at Old Trafford—capped by that unforgettable victory—remain a highlight in his storied career.
Steve McClaren Reflects on His Manchester United Tenure and Decision to Join Jamaica
“We had a rough start, losing our first two matches to Brighton and Brentford. Then came Liverpool, and the media were saying that if we lost, Erik could lose his job. I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, this could be the shortest reign ever for a Manchester United manager!’ But we won that game, which gave us some breathing room, and from there, we went on a strong run and ended up having a solid season,” McClaren recalls.
The second season, however, proved much more challenging, primarily due to injuries. Yet, despite the setbacks, the team showed incredible resilience, culminating in a memorable FA Cup final victory over their fierce rivals, Manchester City. “That win was the icing on the cake. Beating your rivals at Wembley, especially when everyone thought we had no chance, was a testament to the character of the team,” McClaren reflects.
Despite the triumph, rumors surrounding Erik ten Hag’s future swirled during the off-season, with speculation that United could part ways with the Dutch manager. Ten Hag eventually signed a new contract, but was sacked in October 2024.
For McClaren, though, it already felt like his time at Old Trafford was winding down. “I remember saying to Erik after the final, ‘Let’s walk away now, it’s the perfect time to go. It can’t get any better than this, unless we win the league.’ We had a summer of unrest, which was eventually settled, but for me personally, that was the right time to leave,” McClaren shares.
When the opportunity to take over as Jamaica’s head coach came up during pre-season, McClaren saw it as the perfect next step. “When the Jamaica job came around, it just felt right for me. And one day, when I’m sitting in my rocking chair reflecting on my career, I’ll think, ‘What was your last game for Manchester United?’ Well, it was at Wembley in the FA Cup final against Man City. And we won. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
McClaren’s time at Manchester United may have ended, but the memories of his final moments at Old Trafford—highlighted by that unforgettable victory—will always stand as a defining moment in his storied career.
McClaren is now focused on “using all my experience for the good” as he aims to lead Jamaica to the World Cup. The veteran coach has been clearly invigorated by the challenge, as well as by the players’ infectious energy and enthusiasm.
“I’ve worked with some Caribbeans throughout my career, and I love them to bits. They can be a handful at times, but I enjoy being around them so much,” McClaren says with a smile. “Ever since we first met, there’s been an unbelievable vibe in the room. They play and train with intensity, but always with smiles on their faces.”
McClaren is especially impressed by the commitment of his players, many of whom travel great distances to join the national team for training camps. “You look at Demarai Gray, for example – he has to take a 20-hour flight from Saudi Arabia. But he told me he loves representing Jamaica and the atmosphere around the camp. That’s the strength of what we have here.”
For McClaren, the spirit within the squad and their passion for representing Jamaica are what fuel his belief in their potential to succeed.
