McClaren, Ricketts, Speid - JFF’s triangle
McClaren says connection between himself, Michael Ricketts and Rudolph Speid will prove vital to team’s chances
Published:Friday | September 5, 2025 | 12:11 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren said the relationship between himself, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts, and chair of the JFF technical committee Rudolph Speid will prove vital to the success of the national programme.
Jamaica will take to the field today to take on Bermuda at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium to open Group B action in the final round of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.
Ahead of the qualifiers, McClaren said his relationship with Ricketts and Speid will prove important to the team’s bid for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“The most successful organisations that I’ve been involved in, especially in football, everything is about the triangle. Everything is about the triangle and, if you get the triangle right, then you’ll be successful,” he said.
The triangle, as he explained, is formed by the connection between himself, JFF president Ricketts, and chair of the technical committee Speid.
For the team to be successful, McClaren said all three must have a good working relationship where they are all in agreement on the future of the national programme.
This triangle becomes even more important as the Reggae Boyz are looking to qualify for Jamaica’s second-ever appearance at the World Cup.
“The triangle starts at the top with the president, with the chairman of a football club or with the owner of a football club, because they are the ones who make the big decisions and the financial decisions,” McClaren explained.
“Then you have a technical director who works between the coach and the president,” he continued.
“So the experience that Mr Speid has, not just in coaching, but with owning a football club, knowing Caribbean football, knowing the coaching landscape and being successful at that, I said ‘How can I not tap into that?’”
McClaren said he currently shares a good connection with Ricketts, which has been built since his appointment as head coach last year.
He is also looking forward to working closely with Speid, who was appointed as the Reggae Boyz technical advisor last month for the duration of the qualifiers.
McClaren welcomed the appointment, as he believes Speid will bring a wealth of knowledge to the management staff.
“I wanted, from the first day, to have Mr Speid very close to us. I asked him to be very close at the beginning and he said he didn’t really want to because of all the other responsibilities he had in Jamaican football,” he said.
“I want to use the experience that he has of the island, of the players, of the opponents, of Caribbean football, of coaching, and his mind that he’s got, because I respect him.”
McClaren continued, “For me, it’s no different. He’s just stepping inside now instead of being on the outside, and we’ve had many football conversations.”
The final round of qualifiers will see the teams compete in a round-robin format, playing home and away, with the winners of the group qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The next best two second-placed teams will advance to the intercontinental play-offs for another chance at qualification.
Jamaica will open their final round of qualifiers against Bermuda today, before a home fixture against Trinidad and Tobago on September 9 at the National Stadium.