Steve McClaren is living up to expectations as Jamaica manager (Image: Jamaican FA)
New Jamaica manager Steve McClaren is already making waves once again across the football community. The former England boss is writing an unexpected chapter in his distinguished career, having taken charge of the Reggae Boyz.
And right off the bat, his time in the tropics is shaping up to be an endlessly entertaining one. That's after the Jamaican FA released a video from McClaren's inaugural training session leading the team, where he awkwardly mingles with his staff and offering a confused attempt at local slang.
The Mirror report how the man once dubbed as the 'Wally with the Brolly' is causing a stir yet again – this time, in Patois.
"You said something else this morning? No, something else," the bewildered ex-Manchester United assistant coach could be seen saying to a player or colleague, looking visibly perplexed. "It was something..."
The group in question sought to solve McClaren's quandary, wondering whether it was their mention of "big up" or "fully active". Neither of those answers fit the bill, but it wasnt until the coach heard the phrase "seal it up" - completed with a thumb flick - that McClaren approved.
The boss burst out ecstatically: "That's what he said! Look me in the eye... seal it up."
Floods of fans were quick to enjoy McClaren's full-on approach to his latest role. "Like he's lived there all his life," commented one admirer. Another supporter exclaimed: "Yes Steve, seal it up!!"
A slightly more sarcastically inclined fan linked viral footage of McClaren's much-mocked Dutch accent while in charge at Twente and wrote: "He's like a chameleon, blends into any environment." Luckily, McClaren has refrained from immersing himself with such zeal so far as manager of Jamaica, although there's always a chance that could change.
McClaren - who only had his maiden training session with Jamaica on Tuesday - is braced for a fiery introduction to his duties. Jamaica will face Cuba in a crucial CONCACAF Nations League clash on Friday, hoping to get ahead in Group B of the competition.
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McClaren was excited to get to grips with the local lingo (Image: Jamaican FA)
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The ex-Boro boss shared his enthusiasm upon assuming his new position, stating: "From the first day [of the training camp] the players came in, it's been great energy and spirit amongst them. They've shown that on the training field.
"We can control the controllable, which we've tried to do. We just have keep things simple. I'm going to concentrate on the performance - if we get the performance from the players, normally you get the win."
The longevity of McClaren's tenure will ultimately be determined by the team's performances, in what is his first senior management role since 2019, having been a first team coach under Erik ten Hag just last season at United. However, it seems a positive atmosphere is already assured.
