A new chapter for Jamaica’s football was confirmed on Thursday as new Reggae Boyz Head Coach, Stephen McClaren, was officially introduced at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) headquarters in Kingston on Thursday.
McClaren was announced as the new Head Coach of the Jamaica Men’s Senior National team last week, replacing former head man Heimir Hallgrimsson, who has since taken up the position of Head Coach of Ireland.
The 63-year-old, who has 35 years of managerial experience with clubs like Middlesbrough, FC Twente with whom he won the Dutch Eredivisie in 2009-2010, Newcastle United and Manchester United who he left to take up this job.
The Fulford-born McClaren also has experience at the international level, serving in the roles of coach and assistant manager for England from 2000-2007.
He has signed on as Head Coach for Jamaica for the next 18 months, with his main objective being to lead the Caribbean Island nation to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted jointly by the USA, Canada and Mexico. Jamaica’s only previous trip to a World Cup was back in 1998.
“The moment I got on the plane to come over yesterday, through the airport, at the hotel and coming to meet the staff this morning, I’ve had a real warm welcome and a really good feeling about coming here and taking this job with the vision of the World Cup in 2026,” McClaren said at Thursday’s press conference.
McClaren first became aware of Jamaica during his stint as a technical expert for FIFA analyzing the FIFA ecosystem.
“I always knew that this country had unbelievable potential and talent because I was technical expert for FIFA for two years working on the ecosystem which really analyzed every country in the world. We analyzed 210 countries. I analyzed about 20 of which Jamaica was one of them,” he said.
“After doing the analysis and the report three years ago, Jamaica has always been in the back of my mind because it was the one country in which the potential and talent is here and there is such a lot to do. What I’ve seen over the last two years is unbelievable development. It’s my job now to take the baton and carry that on,” McClaren added.
One of the main questions posed to McClaren during Thursday’s proceeding was the fact that he left a club like Manchester United to come and coach Jamaica, a third world country.
McClaren insists that resources are not the main drivers to success of national teams.
“It’s not about resources. It’s about people, it’s about behaviors and it’s about standards. They are the three main things that will be targeted. We might not have the greatest resources but it’s the people, commitment, standards and behaviours that will make the difference that we are all here to work towards,” he said.
President of the JFF, Michael Ricketts, is excited for the future of the National Team under McClaren’s leadership.
“When you think of Mr. McClaren’s achievements as a coach, it gives us reason to feel extremely optimistic. The big picture here is the 2026 World Cup and coach will be charged with getting us there,” he said.
Chairman of the JFF Technical Committee, Rudolph Speid, commented about the process of hiring McClaren.
“We got people from all over the world but at the end of the day it was always going to be one coach. He literally ticked all the boxes,” he said.
“It was a no-brainer to choose him,” he added.
McClaren’s first assignment will be a CONCACAF Nations League clash with Cuba on September 6.
Bradley Jacks is a budding journalist and an avid sports fan. His love of research and sports has led him to SportsMax.tv, a place where those passions work hand in hand to allow him to produce content.
Egypt 0-6 Morocco: Atlas Lions thrash Pharaohs to claim Olympic bronze
Morocco claimed a first Olympic medal at the eighth time of asking as they swept aside Egypt 6-0 at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Thursday.
Abde Ezzalzouli and Soufiane Rahimi impressed for the Atlas Lions, with their first half goals sending Tarik Sektioui's on their way to a podium finish at the Games.
Bilal El Khannouss, Rahimi, Akram Nakach and a stunning free-kick from captain Achraf Hakimi would add further gloss to an impressive display after the break.
Morocco got off to an excellent start through Ezzalzouli's curling effort from outside the box, as Rahimi added a second three minutes later with a powerful header.
The result was put beyond doubt when El Khannouss notched Morocco's third, with Rahimi netting his sixth goal of the tournament just after the hour mark.
Rahimi then turned provider to set up Nakach inside the area, with Hakimi rounding off a fine display in style with an exquisite dead ball effort from distance.
Data Debrief: Rahimi stars in Atlas Lions' landmark triumph
12 years after their last appearance at the Olympic Games in London, Morocco returned with a bang, ending an impressive campaign with a deserved bronze medal.
Rahimi, who plays his football in the UAE with Al Ain, has been arguably the standout player of the tournament and leads the race for the Golden Boot ahead of France's Jean-Philippe Mateta and Spain's Fermin Lopez.
Morocco outperformed their expected goals (xG) by 4.76, with Rahimi contributing 0.82 to their xG total (1.24), while also registering the most shots on target (two) and touches in the opposition box (seven).
Zubimendi named in Real Sociedad squad amid Liverpool links
Martin Zubimendi has been named in Real Sociedad's squad for their final pre-season friendly versus Union Berlin, despite being strongly linked with a move to Liverpool.
La Real travel to the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei to face Union on Friday, as they work towards their opening match in La Liga versus Rayo Vallecano on August 18.
Star midfielder Zubimendi has a £51million buyout clause in his contract and has been strongly linked with an exit in recent weeks, with Liverpool reportedly showing an interest.
The Reds are the only Premier League side yet to make a signing ahead of the 2024-25 season, which will be their first campaign under former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot.
Reports have suggested Liverpool are keen to negotiate a lower transfer fee for the Spain international, though La Real are thought unlikely to budge on their valuation.
Despite suggestions negotiations could move quickly, Zubimendi is in line to take to the field on Friday, as La Real prepare for their sixth full season under Imanol Alguacil.
Pepe confirms retirement from football
Portugal defender Pepe has confirmed he will retire from professional football after a glittering 23-year career.
The 41-year-old played 878 times for club and country, winning 34 trophies along the way, with much of his success coming during his time with Real Madrid.
Having made his name with Porto, Pepe completed a move to the Bernabeu in 2007 and would go on to form one of the best defensive partnerships with Sergio Ramos.
He would win 12 honours during his decade at the Bernabeu, including three Champions League titles, before moving to Besiktas.
Pepe would spend a season in Turkey before returning to Porto, where he would make a further 132 appearances and add another nine honours to his trophy cabinet.
The defender would also enjoy success on the international stage, featuring in all but one of Portugal's seven games in their Euro 2016 triumph.
Pepe was capped 141 times for his country, third on the all-time list behind Joao Moutinho (146) and Cristiano Ronaldo (212).
He played his final ever game in Portugal's penalty shootout defeat to France at Euro 2024, having become the oldest player to ever appear in a European Championship.
In a video shared to Instagram, Pepe said: "I want to thank God for giving me the wisdom to be able to continue my journey.
"I can't help but thank all the presidents who bet on me and believed in me. All the employees of all the clubs I've been to, they are the soul and essence.
"And of the national team. All my teammates and coaches, who helped me grow and compete every day. All the fans, who are the soul of football.
"To Jorge Mendes, to GestiFute, to my mother, who was essential in my journey by letting me fly towards my dream, which was to be a professional footballer.
"To all my friends and family, especially my wife, who was my home in my absence.
"My children for believing in me, for being a fundamental support in my life, for supporting me when I left home to play. They were the support I needed to be able to go with a clear conscience.
"I would like to thank everyone, give them a big thank you and a big hug of gratitude. Thank you all very much."
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