KINGSTON, Jamaica — Rene Simoes, the Brazilian coach who famously guided Jamaica to their historic FIFA World Cup qualification in 1998, has expressed interest in taking charge of the Reggae Boyz once again. This time, he aims to lead the team through the Intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March 2026. Sources close to Observer Online reveal that Simoes, now 72, has garnered support from several members of the iconic 1998 squad and has formally communicated his intentions to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).
The coaching vacancy emerged following the abrupt resignation of Englishman Steve McClaren on Tuesday. McClaren stepped down after Jamaica’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Curacao, which left them second in their group with 11 points, narrowly missing an automatic qualifying spot for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Jamaica’s next challenge will be against New Caledonia in March 2026, with a potential follow-up match against the Democratic Republic of Congo, the winner of which will secure a World Cup berth.
Simoes’ legacy with Jamaica is marked by his historic achievement in 1998, when he led the Reggae Boyz to their first and only World Cup appearance. The team secured a memorable 2-1 victory over Japan in their final group-stage match, despite earlier losses to Croatia and Argentina. However, his second stint with the national team in 2008 was less successful, culminating in his dismissal after a 2-0 defeat to Honduras.
In the interim, the JFF is expected to appoint a temporary coach by Friday, with Rudolph Speid, the coach of Premier League champions Cavalier and chairman of the Technical Committee, reportedly being a top contender. Speid has played a pivotal role in recent coaching decisions, including the dismissal of Theodore Whitmore and the appointments of Heimir Hallgrimsson and McClaren.