Steve McClaren leaves Manchester United to become new Jamaica manager

Steve McClaren has landed a new job: Jamaica's head coach.

McClaren has left his position as Erik the Hagassistant coach in Manchester United to join the Reggae Boyz in a shocking new role.

Jamaica Football Federation President Michael Ricketts said: “We are truly delighted to announce the appointment of Mr McClaren as Head Coach of the Reggae Boyz.

“We are confident that we made the right decision and look forward to him leading our nation towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”

McClaren also expressed his excitement at taking on the job, saying: “I am extremely proud and excited to take on the role of Head Coach of the Jamaica Men’s National Team.

“I did not hesitate to accept a position that suits me perfectly at this stage of my career.

“Before returning to Manchester United for a second spell, I spent time at FIFA as a technical advisor on their Global Ecological Analysis project.

“Jamaica was one of the teams I worked with and I quickly realised the potential the country had.

“In the years since then, that potential has grown significantly and there is reason to believe that, with continued hard work and development, a bright future awaits us.”

Jamaica had been without a coach since late last month after Heimir Hallgrimsson resigned.

The Caribbean nation suffered a poor campaign in the America Cup where they finished bottom of their group after three losses in three games.

Steve Bruce He was also in the running for the vacancy and had he told talkSPORT who was desperate to get back to work after being sacked by West Brom in October 2022.

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But Jamaica have decided to sign McClaren, who will now leave his post at United after joining alongside Ten Hag in the summer of 2022.

It was the second time he had been hired as number 2 at Old Trafford, having first been chosen for the position in 1999 under Mr Alex Ferguson.

The ex Newcastle, Derby County and Middlesbrough The boss was there too Race for Nigerian post.

The African country had held talks with the 63-year-old, who opted to move to the Caribbean.

McClaren has not held a head coaching position since 2019, when he was manager of QPR, a role he held for one season.

The former England boss has a wealth of experience in Europe as a manager, including at Twente, where he won the Eredivisie in 2010, and Wolfsburg.

He has also had varying degrees of success in English football, helping Middlesbrough reach the UEFA Cup final in 2006 against all odds before losing to Seville in the end.

He helped him secure a job with the England national team, but his tenure proved disastrous after missing Euro 2008, leading to his dismissal as manager.

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At the time, his tenure was the shortest ever in the England job, after 18 games in charge over 16 months, although it was later surpassed by Sam Allardycewho took charge of a match for 67 days.

But McClaren's ability as a coach has never been one to be singled out, having worked with some of the sport's best.

His predecessor in England, Sven-Göran ErikssonHe was praised, saying: “I have worked closely with Steve since I arrived in England and I know what a good coach he is.

“I have no doubt that he has all the credentials to be very successful in the job and I wish him all the best.”

His former boss Ferguson also said: “Steve has character and a hunger to do very well, he always has. He has always wanted to succeed and get the best out of himself, and now he has the perfect opportunity to do that.”