Coley ‘would definitely’ take coaching job

Former national senior assistant coach Miguel Coley says he is ready and willing to take charge of the Reggae Boyz, following the resignation of Steve McClaren on Tuesday evening.

McClaren stepped down after Jamaica failed to secure automatic qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held to a heartbreaking 0-0 draw by Curacao before a capacity crowd at the National Stadium. The result sent the Curacaoans to their first-ever World Cup after they topped Group B with 12 points, one more than Jamaica.

However, the Reggae Boyz still have another route to qualification as they will face New Caledonia of the Oceania confederation in Path 1 of the FIFA Intercontinental Playoffs in Mexico next March. A win would send the Jamaicans into a final showdown against the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a place at the World Cup.

Coley, currently an assistant coach with Zakho Sports Club in Iraq, says he would love to take over the reins of the national team as they prepare for that crucial playoff run.

"I would definitely take the job because I believe that I have the know how and experience to go out there and inspire these players to get the job done for the country," Coley said from his base in Iraq.

He previously served as assistant coach under Winfried Schafer from 2014 to 2016 and believes his familiarity with Jamaican football makes him the ideal candidate.

"I have been with the national team before; I have been to two Copa America tournaments as the assistant coach for two and a half years with the national team," Coley noted.

Coley has pointed to his extensive coaching resume, which spans multiple regions and competitions.

"I am coaching Zakho Sports Club in Iraq and we are playing in the Champions League and the Iraq league. We have a pretty good team, a very dynamic team, and the objective is to win the league and go as far as possible in the Champions League," he said.

Coley, who led Jamaica College to five straight Manning Cup and Olivier Shield titles, also highlighted that he currently holds a UEFA Pro Licence.

"I have coached in four countries so far - Iraq, Qatar, UAE, and Iran -- and of course I have coached in Jamaica. So I have gotten a lot of experience," he added.

When contacted on Thursday, Rudolph Speid, chairman of the Jamaica Football Federation technical committee, said the search for a new head coach is already under way.

"We are getting a lot of applications and we are looking at all of them and then we will make a decision. Every time we have a vacancy his (Coley's) name comes up, but we will be looking at the best that we can get," Speid said.