Steve McClaren dramatically quit as manager of Jamaica after missing out on automatic qualification for the World Cup, left ‘in tears’ after failing to beat the tiny nation of Curacao.
17 years on from his disastrous spell as England boss, McClaren returned to international management last year to take charge of the Reggae Boyz with the task of guiding them to next summer’s tournament.
Jamaica hosted Curacao in Kingston in the early hours of the morning, needing a win to reach their first World Cup since 1998. But the hosts were held to a goalless draw after having an injury time penalty overruled by VAR.
Jamaica still have a chance of qualifying for the World Cup via the inter-confederation play-offs in March.
But McClaren will not be there to lead them, resigning from his post immediately after the defeat.
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‘I want to my make it clear, I have always said leadership is a service,’ McClaren told a press conference.
‘That s what we do. And tonight, I best serve this team by stepping aside and allowing someone else to take this team forward.
‘Tonight we’ve fallen short in our goal to qualify. It is a responsibility of the leader, myself to step forward, take accountability, and make decisions in the best interests of the team from them to go for.
‘After deep reflection and an honest assessment of where we are, and where we need to go I have decided to step down as the head coach of the Jamaican national team.
“This decision comes from respect. Always the respect of the badge. Always the support, and the place.
‘And sometimes the best thing a leader can do is to recognise when new energy and a different perspective is required to move this team forward. I want to take this moment to clearly thank the players.
‘They will succeed in March. Thank you Jamaica, it has been an honour, one love to you all.’
McClaren was christened ‘the wally with the brolly’ after the infamous shots of him standing underneath an umbrella in the pouring rain at Wembley, having just witnessed the Three Lions fail to qualify for 2008.
Curacao meanwhile qualified at Jamaica’s expense despite not having manager Dick Advocaat present on the touchline after leaving the camp to attend to a personal matter.
Assistant manager Dean Gorre, stepping in for Advocaat on the night, claimed post-match McClaren was reduced to tears after the game. He said: ‘Steve was crying. It affected him that much.’