Former England manager SteveMcClaren has been appointed as the new head coach of Jamaica’s national men’s senior football team.

The confirmation which came from the JFF Board saw McClaren getting the nod over former Manchester United captain and West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Bruce.

McClaren, a who led middlebrow to the 2004 League Cup title and the 2006 Uefa Cup final, has been part of the back room staff at Manchester United since in 2022 where he has worked as Eric Ten Hag’s assistant, his second time in the role, having previously done so under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999.

At the international level the Yorkshireman had a brief stint in charge of England from 2006 to 2007 – a reign that ended abruptly after failing to qualify for Euro 2008.

His resume also includes stints at Derby County, German outfit Wolfsburg and Dutch side FC Twente where he won the club’s first Eredivisie title in 2010.

The 63 year old replaces Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson who resigned as Reggae Boyz coach earlier this month and has since been appointed Republic of Ireland boss.

He expressed great excitement at the appointment.

“I am extremely proud and excited to take up the position of Head Coach for The Jamaica Men’s National Team. I had no hesitation in accepting a position that is ideally suited to me at this stage of my career.

Prior to returning to Manchester United for a second spell, I spent time at FIFA as a Technical Advisor on their Global Eco Analysis project. Jamaica was one of the teams I worked with and I quickly came to realize the potential the country possessed.

In the years since, that potential has grown significantly and there is every reason to believe that with continued hard work and development a bright future lies ahead.”

McClaren’s first assignments with the Reggae Boyz will be against Cuba and Honduras in a pair of Concacaf Nations League matches in September at the National Stadium.

This Nations League cycle will also serve as a qualifier for the 2025 edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup