Steve McClaren quits Jamaica job ‘in tears’ and issues statement | Football | Sport
Former England manager Steve McClaren has stepped down from his role as Jamaica boss after missing out on World Cup qualification, with his opposite number revealing he was moved to tears. The ex-Three Lions head coach, who famously failed to reach Euro 2008, which led to his dismissal, has once more fallen short of securing a place at a major tournament.
Jamaica have been pipped by Curacao for a spot at next summer’s World Cup in North America. McClaren announced his departure, stating: “Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is recognise when a fresh voice, new energy and a different perspective are required to move this team forward.”
The 64-year-old watched Jamaica’s qualification hopes end following a goalless draw against minnows Curacao – the smallest country ever to reach the World Cup. Their assistant manager, Dean Gorre, who deputised for Dick Advocaat, claimed that McClaren was moved to tears by the disappointment.
He said: “Steve was crying. It affected him that much.”
Curacao emerged as the sole unbeaten side in the qualifying campaign, topping Group B with 12 points, edging Jamaica by a single point. Their draw secures their passage alongside fellow CONCACAF nations Panama and Haiti, who also confirmed their places.
According to official figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics in Curacao, the nation has a population of 156,115 people as of January. Previously, Iceland held the record as the smallest country to reach a major tournament, boasting just over 350,000 residents when they qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Curacao’s historic achievement came despite Advocaat’s absence from the touchline. The 78-year-old was forced to miss the fixture after returning to the Netherlands the previous weekend due to family matters.
The veteran manager has previously taken charge of the Netherlands national team and has managed South Korea, Belgium and Russia before accepting the Curacao position.
Jamaica fielded Brentford’s Rico Henry and former Everton defender Mason Holgate in their starting line-up but were unable to secure the victory required for World Cup qualification. McClaren had declared beforehand that this represented “the biggest game in Jamaica for many, many years”.
Following a catastrophic hurricane which struck the Caribbean nation, McClaren had expressed hopes of delivering some much-needed cheer, though ultimately came up short. He said: “We will try to at least put some positivity and a smile on people’s faces in the midst of adversity … because there is nothing better than a Jamaican smile, I can guarantee you that.”
