Jamaica coach Steve McClaren steps down after 0-0 draw with Curacao costs team automatic World Cup qualification, taking responsibility for the failure
KINGSTON: Jamaica coach Steve McClaren resigned on Tuesday after his team failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
McClaren announced his decision shortly after Jamaica were held to a 0-0 draw by Curacao in their final qualifier at Kingston’s National Stadium.
Jamaica needed victory to qualify but watched as tiny Curacao held on to advance instead.
The result marked another bitter qualification failure for McClaren, who previously failed to guide England to the 2008 European Championship.
“I have given everything I have to this job, to this role,” McClaren said in a statement.
“Leading this team really has been one of the greatest honours of my career.”
“But football is a results business and tonight we’ve fallen short of our goal, which was to qualify from this group.”
McClaren stated that leaders must take accountability and make decisions in the team’s best interest.
“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.”
The 64-year-old’s departure leaves Jamaica scrambling to find a new coach before next year’s Inter-Confederation play-offs.
The play-offs will feature Iraq, Democratic Republic of Congo, New Caledonia, Bolivia and Suriname. – AFP
