Former Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren has quit as Jamaica’s manager, reports Peder Leufstedt Nyström.
Jamaica’s 0-0 draw against Curacao in the key World Cup qualifications means the Reggae Boyz have officially missed out on direct entry for next year’s tournament.
After a year as manager of Jamaica, Steve McClaren, a former manager of Middlesbrough and England, announced his resignation following the goalless performance. McClaren made it apparent in his post-match speech that accountability was at the heart of his decision to resign.
“The leader must take charge, accept accountability, and act in the team’s best interests while making decisions. I have made the decision to leave my position as head coach of the Jamaican national team after giving it careful thought and evaluating our current situation and future goals.
Jamaica’s sole chance to win the group was to defeat Dick Advocaat’s team, the former manager of Glasgow Rangers and Sunderland. On paper, Jamaica had a stronger team, but they had trouble utilizing their greater skill.
Rico Henry, a left back for Brentford, was benched while players like Isaac Hayden, a former midfielder for Newcastle, and Demarai Gray, a winger for Birmingham City, were in the starting lineup.
As the game continued to heat up, Barnsley midfielder Jon Russell was sent off the field after receiving his second yellow card in the closing minutes. However, the drama didn’t stop there. Referee Ivan Barton was forced to sound the whistle after Chelsea youngster Dujuan Richards was fouled in the penalty area after being hauled into the action late in the game.
The referee’s judgment was overruled, ending Jamaica’s miserable night at Independence Park and abruptly ending McClaren’s tenure. This might have been a devastating blow to Curacao’s hopes of winning the World Cup, but the VAR room saved them.
McClaren was pleased with his tenure as manager of Jamaica, despite the dismal outcome. One of the biggest honors of my career has been leading this squad, but football is a results-driven sport, and tonight we failed to meet our objective of qualifying from this group.
Although no replacement has been named, McClaren thinks that new leadership could improve the team going ahead. The Reggae Boyz can still qualify for the World Cup, but they must secure one of two qualification spots through the play-offs.
Identifying when a new voice, new energy, and a different perspective are needed to advance this team is sometimes the finest thing a leader can do.
Michael Ricketts, the president of the Jamaican Football Federation, did not mince words when he voiced his displeasure with McClaren’s tenure as head coach. “It would be an understatement to say I’m disappointed. Heimir Hallgrimsson left after we had a conversation with him. Although Steve McClaren was supposed to be a suitable successor, he hasn’t been as good as we had hoped. We feel incredibly let down.
As he oversaw the unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 2008 Euros in Switzerland and Austria, McClaren’s tenure as England’s head coach came to an end in a similar manner. The former Middlesbrough manager was replaced by Italian veteran Fabio Capello after the Three Lions’ disappointing campaign saw them finish third in their group behind Croatia and Russia.
Dick Advocaat, the manager of Curacao, was in the Netherlands handling a private family situation, hence he was not on the sidelines. The Caribbean island is now the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, despite his absence.
xz
