Rudolph Speid to join Reggae Boyz coaching staff

By Jeremain Brown

Following days of rumours that Rudolph Speid would be appointed as an assistant coach to the senior Reggae Boyz team, confirmation has come from Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts that the Cavalier S.C. boss will be an official member the national team's coaching staff.

Interestingly, Speid will also remain as head of the Technical Committee which chose and appointed Steve McClaren as head coach in July 2024.

Ricketts says Speid's appointment became necessary following the Reggae Boyz dismal showing at the Concacaf Gold Cup tournament in June, where the team failed to advance from the group stage for the first time since 2009.

They defeated Guadeloupe but lost to Guatemala and Panama.

The Reggae Boyz have been drawn alongside Trinidad and Tobago, Curacao and Bermuda in Group B of the final round of World Cup qualifiers.

They will begin their final round campaign with an away clash against Bermuda on September 5, before facing regional rivals Trinidad and Tobago on September 9 at the National Stadium.