Steve McClaren resigned as Jamaica head coach after Reggae Boyz failed to automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Jamaica needed a win against Curaçao on Tuesday in Kingston to seal an automatic place at the World Cup next summer. But the Reggae Boyz endured a frustrating evening at Independence Park, hitting the post multiple times en route to a 0-0 home draw.

The result saw Curaçao qualify for the World Cup for the first time, becoming the smallest nation to ever do so.

Jamaica will now enter an inter-confederation playoff in March to try and reach the World Cup, but the Reggae Boyz will have a new head coach by then.

McClaren stepped down as coach in his post-game press conference on Tuesday.

"Over the last 18 months I have given everything I have to this job," he said in a statement. "Leading this team has been one of the greatest honors of my career.

"But football is a results business and tonight we have fallen short of our goal, which was to qualify from this group.

"It is the responsibility of the leader to step forward, take accountability and make decisions in the best interests of the team.

"After deep reflection and an honest assessment of where we are and where we need to go, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Jamaican national team.

"Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is to recognize when a fresh voice, new energy and a different perspective is required to move this team forward."

McClaren did not take any questions.

The former England national team boss departed after 18 months in charge of Jamaica, winning 13 of his 24 matches.

Jamaica is looking to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

This article originally appeared on Pro Soccer Wire: McClaren quits as Jamaica coach after failing to seal automatic World Cup berth

Reporting by Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire / Pro Soccer Wire

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