Steve McClaren amuses fans on social media after a video of him learning the Jamaican lingo emerges, and what truly great content it is.
The new head coach of the Jamaica national football team, has quickly endeared himself to fans by attempting their culture and language since his arrival.
A video posted by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) on Twitter, shows McClaren speaking Jamaican, a rather light-hearted effort as can be seen below…
Coach McClaren speaks on his first training session with the Reggae Boyz, and tried his hand at patois – how did he do? 👀#jamaicalandwelove #reggaeboyz2026 #reggaeboyz pic.twitter.com/xeq4LeC9Qz
— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) September 5, 2024
This was McClaren’s first training session with the team, showing his approachable side, and it subtly communicated his commitment to integrating into Jamaican football culture.
This cultural integration is already playing a significant role in team morale and public support, elements McClaren has identified as crucial for success.
He is hoping to lead the Reggae Boyz towards what’s been called ‘Mission 2026’ in qualifying for the World Cup.
Jamaica take on Cuba on Friday (7th September, 1am UK time), here’s what he had to say in the pre-match press conference…
Latest Squad announcement:
Goalkeepers – Andre Blake, Jahmali Waite, Conniah Boyce-Clarke
Defenders – Damion Lowe, Di’Shon Bernard, Ethan Pinnock, Amari’i Bell, Greg Leigh, Richard King, Joel Latibeaudiere
Midfielders – Kasey Palmer, Karoy Anderson, Bobby Reid, Jon Russell, Adrian Reid Jr.
Forwards – Leon Bailey, Michail Antonio, Shamar Nicholson, Demarai Gray, Kaheim Dixon, Norman Campbell
Jamaica said on appointing Steve McClaren earlier this summer: The Jamaica Football Federation is delighted to announce that Steve McClaren has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Senior Men’s National Team.
McClaren will be given a two year deal to guide the Reggae Boyz towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup which will be co-hosted in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
President of the Jamaica Football Federation Michael Ricketts has expressed great optimism about the appointment – “We are truly elated to announce the appointment of Mr. Steve McClaren as Head Coach of the Reggae Boyz. We are confident we made the right decision and we are looking forward to him guiding our nation towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We now ask the nation to get behind our new Head Coach and by extension the team as we commence our CONCACAF Nations League campaign in September and resume the World Cup Qualifiers in June next year.”
McClaren has expressed great excitement of taking charge of the Reggae Boyz – “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 has had an extensive Coaching journey where he was the assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United became the first English club to win the treble (Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League in the 1998-1999 season. He was also the assistant to Sven-Goran Eriksson with the England National team as they were Quarter-Finalists at the 2002 and 2006 editions of the FIFA World Cup and Quarter-Finals of the European Championships in 2004.
He was also the Head Coach of the England National team from 2006 to 2007. In club football he had spells at Middlesbrough F.C. where he went on to win the English League Cup in 2004 and in 2006 was the runners up in the UEFA Cup (now called the UEFA Europa League).
Shortly after he moved to the Eredivisie in the Netherlands with FC Twente and he won the title in 2010. That calendar year he also won the Rinus Michels Award which is the award that goes to the best performing Coach in the Eredivisie. McClaren gained more experience as he also spent time with VFL Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Derby County, Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers before most recently being the Senior first team Coach at Manchester United.
The Reggae Boyz will commence their campaign in the 2024/2025 edition of the CONCACAF Nations League on September 6 against Cuba at the National Stadium. This CONCACAF Nations League cycle will also serve as a qualifier for the 2025 edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
As mentioned, Steve McClaren amuses fans after a video of him learning the Jamaican lingo emerges…
@GottaBigMouth: I wonder if he’s been enjoying any of the herbal remedies that are freely available there.
@SirMilburn: Hated the man at Newcastle but fucking love this.
@HalWalker: Forget City or Arsenal, I’d watch a behind-the-scenes documentary around Steve and The Reggae Boyz in a heartbeat.
@JimRuss1980: If his tenure as Jamaica boss is not made into a fly on the wall documentary they’ve missed a massive opportunity
@Sobakyevich75: Next stop is a 30-minute, wide-ranging and disarmingly-philosophical interview in which he holds an unusual-looking cigarette throughout and uses the word ‘irie’
@Bettsy139: The clip we were all waiting for when Steve McClaren took the job! 🇯🇲
@PaulFFC1879: Look me in the eye……. seal it up.
@StevieG1978: He just embraces whatever culture he’s in. The new Michael Palin.
@_JakeC91: Looks like a fish out of water 🤣 and I’m here for it
@CT_1211: I need a video of him bowling into the dressing room one day like wagwan team
@helloIamBesty: I genuinely like the bloke
@TerraStatman: I could watch this all day…
@_shelbie97: I need a full behind the scenes documentary on the Jamaican football team pls
@TheBoringGit: Enjoying seeing Steve McClaren’s Jamaican journey to be fair – hope he fucking laps it up, becomes full Rasta and wins them the world fucking cup.
He’s like a chameleon, blends into any environment.https://t.co/XAjvKeTMvB
— Tim Sproston (@tsproston) September 6, 2024
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